RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s flagship ecotourism initiative, Al-Urumah Season, has concluded its fifth edition after attracting more than 800,000 visitors over six months, underscoring the Kingdom’s growing appetite for nature-based tourism and conservation-focused travel.
The Imam Abdulaziz bin Mohammed Royal Reserve Development Authority said the season, held across the Imam Abdulaziz bin Mohammed Royal Reserve and the King Khalid Royal Reserve northeast of Riyadh, drew visitors from within the Kingdom and abroad while generating jobs, supporting local communities and strengthening environmental awareness.
According to the authority, 14 tourism service providers participated in this year’s season, offering 14 activities ranging from hiking and cycling to horseback riding, camel trekking, stargazing and guided exploration trips. The season also created around 84 jobs and contributed to the growth of ecotourism-related industries in surrounding communities.
Camel trekking and horseback riding are emerging as among the biggest attractions of Al-Urumah Season. (SPA)
The latest figures mean that nearly two million people have now visited Al-Urumah Season since its launch five years ago, a remarkable rise for an initiative that began as a niche outdoor tourism project and has evolved into one of Saudi Arabia’s leading ecotourism destinations.
