Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility
English
Contact
E-Services

Frequently Asked Questions

search icon cancle icon

About RCU

RCU was established in July 2017.

The objectives of RCU include preserving AlUla’s natural and cultural heritage, developing the area into a global destination for cultural and eco-tourism, and driving economic growth and community development.

The AlUla strategy focuses on sustainable development, conservation of historical sites, and enhancing the visitor experience through world-class attractions, infrastructure, and community engagement.

The role of RCU in Saudi Arabia is to oversee major economic, cultural, and infrastructural development projects, aligning with Saudi Vision 2030’s objectives to promote sustainable growth, diversification, and cultural enrichment.

Living in AlUla

Living in AlUla offers a unique blend of ancient culture and modern living against the backdrop of stunning natural beauty. Residents enjoy a peaceful lifestyle with access to modern amenities, cultural events, and outdoor adventures, all within a community that values heritage and sustainability.

AlUla hosts a variety of community programmes ranging from cultural workshops and art exhibitions to environmental conservation projects and sports events. These programmes are designed to enrich the community’s social, cultural, and physical well-being.

Residents can participate in AlUla’s development projects through public consultations, volunteer opportunities, and community meetings. RCU frequently seeks resident input on projects to ensure they meet the community’s needs and expectations.

Saudi Vision 2030 aims to enhance the quality of life for AlUla residents by investing in infrastructure, boosting the local economy, creating job opportunities, and preserving the area’s natural and historical sites for future generations.

Residents and prospective residents can provide feedback or suggestions through the feedback and suggestions form available on this page. Your insights are invaluable to us and will be considered in future planning and development efforts.

Business in AlUla

Expats can explore investment opportunities in diverse sectors such as tourism, hospitality, real estate, technology, and renewable energy, with a special focus on the emerging projects in AlUla, aimed at cultural and eco-tourism development.

Saudi Arabia offers vast business opportunities across sectors including technology, tourism, entertainment, and mining. The Vision 2030 initiative aims to diversify the economy, opening new prospects in AlUla for sustainable tourism and cultural heritage projects.

Visiting AlUla

AlUla is a year-round destination, coming to life particularly from October to April when the beautiful weather and extensive calendar of festivals and events takes place. Some of the region’s coolest summer temperatures also make it an enjoyable place to spend long evenings outdoors from June to September.

Yes, AlUla offers a range of guided tours that cater to different interests, including history, nature, and adventure, ensuring a rich and informative experience.

In AlUla, you can enjoy a wide array of activities, from hiking and hot air balloon rides to exploring ancient sites and attending world-class events and festivals.

AlUla is accessible via its international airport, welcoming flights from major cities. Road access is also available for those who prefer a scenic drive into the heart of wonder.

Path to Prosperity

AlUla is entering a new phase of its comprehensive regeneration: boosting prosperity and enhancing quality of life for our community.

Our new Path to Prosperity masterplan will:

Increase land usage for housing
Grow a prosperous economy
Promote health for everyone
Conserve culture and heritage
Expand public spaces
Introduce mobility to better connect our community

Path to Prosperity has been designed to increase economic opportunities for our community. It will supercharge economic development by creating thriving new neighbourhoods and districts, such as the Entertainment, Retail, and Business Area in AlUla South.

Path to Prosperity encourages greater uptake of sports through access to new recreational facilities, with AlUla Sports Club & High-Performance Centre, AlUla Private Gym, and Mughayra Sports Village being some of the priority projects. Public spaces for outdoor living will feature outdoor gyms, skate parks, and football pitches.

Path to Prosperity reimagines public spaces for a growing population. The expanded public realm will combine public facilities and beautiful green open spaces to promote an active and social lifestyle for the people of AlUla.

The new masterplan directly contributes to the realisation of Vision 2030 by catalysing economic diversification in AlUla, improving quality of life for residents, and building the support services needed to accelerate the cultural, touristic, and economic elements of the Kingdom’s ambitions.

The masterplan is aligned to all three pillars of Vision 2030:

An Ambitious Nation
A Thriving Economy
A Vibrant Society

Recognising the importance of education, Path to Prosperity’s development areas will be equipped with quality schools, including kindergartens; elementary, intermediate, and high schools; international and private schools; and special needs schools.

Path to Prosperity encourages residents to share in the transformative power of arts and culture. It will enable the development of centres of creativity and collaboration, with spaces for our community to socialise and grow their skills.

Path to Prosperity reimagines public spaces for a growing population. The expanded public realm will combine public facilities and beautiful green open spaces to promote an active and social lifestyle for the people of AlUla.

Path to Prosperity is introducing new healthcare services, and priority projects include uplifting primary healthcare centres and Prince Abdulmohsen bin Abdulaziz Hospital. In addition, the Social Rehabilitation Centre will open in 2025 in AlUla South.

Sharaan Nature Reserve

The Sharaan Nature Reserve in AlUla aims to preserve natural beauty, restore biodiversity, and balance ecosystems. It’s located in the Eastern Canyons, featuring diverse habitats for native species.

Sharaan was chosen due to its diverse desert habitats and historical significance. Restoration is crucial due to overgrazing and habitat degradation.

Governance involves a steering committee of international conservation experts to meet global standards.

The reserve is open to the public with guidelines to minimise impact, following an initial launch event for animal release.

Goals will be achieved through habitat restoration, boundary fencing to exclude livestock, reintroduction of native species, and community engagement.

Partners include IUCN and CAWM(College of African Wildlife Management) for ranger training and local communities for conservation efforts.

The Saudi Wildlife Authority is a key partner, contributing endangered species for reintroduction efforts.

Future plans involve developing long-term management and action plans with stakeholders to ensure conservation success.

Sharaan’s unique geological features, holistic conservation approach, and community benefits set it apart.

RCU commits to protecting the Arabian Leopard, including captive breeding and reintroduction, and establishing a global conservation fund.

RCU plans to designate more protected areas in AlUla for conservation, aligning with broader environmental goals.

The project supports Vision 2030 by promoting environmental sustainability, creating conservation-based sectors, and fostering community engagement.

Arabian Leopard Programme & Fund

The Arabian leopard is classified as “Critically Endangered” by IUCN.

There are two key captive breeding programmes in the Arabian Peninsula, one in Sharjah in the UAE (Breeding Centre for Endangered Arabian Wildlife) and the other in Taif in Saudi Arabia (Prince Saud Al-Faisal Wildlife Research Centre [PSFWRC]), now under RCU’s management. RCU also funded the launch of the Arabian Leopard Fund, which now operates as a separate entity focused on the regional conservation of the Arabian leopard.

Plan Your Trip to AlUla

Absolutely, AlUla is renowned for its breathtaking landscapes, rich history, and unique cultural experiences, making it a must-visit destination.

AlUla International Airport (ULH) is the closest airport, offering both domestic and international flights.

You can reach AlUla by flying into AlUla International Airport, which is well-connected with major cities. Alternatively, you can drive from nearby cities like Medina or Tabuk.

Yes, AlUla is open to visitors from around the world. Tourists should adhere to local customs and regulations during their visit.

Absolutely, AlUla is renowned for its breathtaking landscapes, rich history, and unique cultural experiences, making it a must-visit destination.

While AlUla is close to Hegra, they are distinct sites. Hegra is a UNESCO World Heritage site within the AlUla region.

The cost varies based on travel style, accommodation choices, and activities. Planning in advance can help manage budgets effectively.

Journey Through Time

The Journey Through Time Masterplan was developed under the leadership of HRH the Crown Prince and the guidance of HH Prince Badr, the Saudi Minister of Culture and the Governor of the Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU).

The Crown Prince envisioned the masterplan as a way to capture the essence of AlUla—an oasis of unique culture, heritage, nature, and community—while curating a timeless legacy with stories of the past to inform the future and open new chapters in AlUla’s unfolding history.

The Journey Through Time will transform AlUla into a global destination for heritage, culture, and nature. Key features of the plan are:

From Old Town in the south to Hegra Historical City in the north, five districts, spanning the 20-km heart of AlUla and shaped by the site’s natural and cultural heritage, will serve as waypoints on the Journey Through Time. AlUla Old Town (District 1); Dadan (District 2); Jabal Ikmah (District 3); Nabataean Horizon (District 4); and Hegra Historical City (District 5).

The districts will focus on a key heritage site while they will all be crossed by AlUla’s ancient oasis. A 9-km portion constituting the heart of the Cultural Oasis would be fully rejuvenated, starting with its heart located in AlUla Old Town District. 

Fifteen new cultural assets, including museums, galleries, and cultural centres, will serve as landmarks across each district.
A 20-km-long public realm—the Wadi of Hospitality, which runs along the bed of the ancient oasis—will connect the five Districts and act as the green, pedestrian-friendly “spine” of the Journey Through Time.

A 46-km low-carbon tramway will also connect AlUla International Airport to the five districts of the Journey Through Time, while the scenic road—as well as bicycle, equestrian, and pedestrian trails—will promote a smooth and experiential approach to mobility.
The wadi and the tramway will follow the route used by pilgrims on the Hijaz Railway for many centuries before, ensuring a memorable visual and interpretive experience of the transition from oasis to desert. 

Adding a total of 5,000 additional room keys into the targeted 9,400 keys by 2035, each district will offer its own tailored blend of living and hospitality options ranging from hotels and eco-tourism resorts to luxury lodges and canyon farms carved into the sandstone rocks.

The Kingdoms Institute, a flagship component of the plan, will be a global hub for archaeological knowledge and research dedicated to the cultures and civilizations that have inhabited this area for more than 7,000 years, including the ancient kingdoms of Dadan and Lihyan and the Nabataeans, who built the city of Hegra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 

Through research and innovative solutions from water management to irrigation and land use, the replenishment of the Cultural Oasis will be a key element of the Journey Through Time Masterplan. The most intense regeneration efforts will focus on the 9-km heart of the ancient oasis—the “green lung” of AlUla connecting Old Town, Dadan, and Jabal Ikmah—and will trigger a major expansion of AlUla’s green and open spaces, up to 10 million square metres, making the Journey Through Time Masterplan the world’s largest cultural oasis regeneration project.

The masterplan covers 15 new cultural assets, including museums, galleries, and cultural centres that will serve as landmarks across each district. They resonate with our ambition to create a peerless cultural destination with the largest living museum in the world.
 
Mapped as connected journeys across the landscape, networked spheres of Creativity, Knowledge, and Immersion are each anchored by cultural epicentres, encapsulating the essence of AlUla and designed to capture the global imagination:

Creativity: Renewing AlUla’s legacy as a nexus of artistic exploration, expression, and production
Perspectives Galleries
Wadi AlFann
Arts District
Incense Museum and Gardens
Oasis Living Gardens

Knowledge: Recalibrating histories through the prisms of archaeology and living heritage
Kingdoms Institute
Dadan Interpretive Centre
Jabal Ikmah Interpretive Centre
Incense Road Market
Life and Memory

Immersion: Redefining how natural and cultural landscapes are encountered and experienced
Hegra Museum
Nabataean Theatre
Arabian Horse Heritage
Black Basalt Museum
Skyviews

Symbolising Saudi Arabia’s renewed commitment to the preservation and protection of world heritage, knowledge, and research, the masterplan is backed by extensive scientific studies on AlUla’s human patterns and environmental and geological evolution developed by a team of international and Saudi experts.

The ancient oasis, a key heritage site of the masterplan, is the living environment that forms the heart of AlUla’s cultural landscape. With 60 per cent of the oasis abandoned today due to lack of water and unsustainable farming practices, it is fragile and its strength depleted.

Thanks to the masterplan and through research and innovative solutions from water management to irrigation and land use, the replenishment of the Cultural Oasis will be a key element of the Journey Through Time Masterplan.

The most intense regeneration efforts will focus on the 9-km heart of the ancient oasis—the Cultural Oasis, the “green lung” of AlUla connecting Old Town, Dadan, and Jabal Ikmah. Contributing to the Saudi Green Initiative, the regeneration of AlUla is underpinned by a strategy to rehabilitate the land and reverse the course of desertification in the area. It will provide an opportunity for a sustainable agricultural production while triggering a major expansion of AlUla’s green and open spaces, up to 10 million square metres, making the Journey Through Time Masterplan the world’s largest cultural oasis regeneration project.

The Kingdoms Institute, a second flagship component of the plan, will be a global hub for archaeological knowledge and research dedicated to the cultures and civilizations that have inhabited this area for more than 7,000 years, including the ancient kingdoms of Dadan and Lihyan and the Nabataean city of Hegra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Together, the two flagship projects reflect Saudi Arabia’s commitment to offer the world a viable model for protecting, preserving, and contributing to the world’s cultural and natural legacy.

Moreover, as a direct response to the challenges of sustainably and responsibly developing a fragile desert and heritage environment and creating a new and balanced path around different notions such as protection, conservation, restoration, regeneration, and development, AlUla’s Sustainability Charter sets the foundation for an innovative and integrated approach to sustainability. The Charter includes at the heart of the masterplan a zero-carbon policy coupled with circular economy principles, and robust resiliency policies around development in heritage and environmentally sensitive areas, flood and improved water management, or vegetation planting.

RCU’s mandate covers AlUla County in addition to Khaybar, Tayma, and AlMua’azam Fort. Constituting the most important part of AlUla’s development, the Journey Through Time masterplan is the first masterplan to be announced and RCU will announce more plans and projects in the future. The Journey Through Time Masterplan covers the core heritage area of AlUla and integrates AlUla’s most precious heritage sites.

This masterplan is an investment in AlUla’s citizens and their future and embodies RCU’s commitment to community inclusivity.

The development of new community-driven services and amenities, as well as cultural and educational facilities, is embedded within the plan and is integral to the creation of a new tourism, cultural, and agricultural economy for AlUla. These include agricultural regeneration and water management programmes, public spaces for the local community, as well as a 46-km environmentally friendly tramway.

Upon completion in 2035, the wider development strategy for AlUla would have created 38,000 new jobs for a population grown to 130,000. AlUla will also contribute SAR 120 billion to the Kingdom’s GDP by 2035. The socio-economic growth will not only deepen AlUla’s talent pool within a local community that has acted as guardians of ancestral values, techniques, and traditions over millennia, it will also nurture a thriving and vibrant society in a great place to live, work, and explore.

The masterplan directly contributes to the realisation of Vision 2030 by reinvigorating AlUla as a tourism destination and catalysing economic diversification in the region. Improving quality of life for residents, boosting employment opportunities, and accelerating the development of the region’s cultural and tourism infrastructure is built into the plan.

In addition, the masterplan is underpinned by strong sustainability principles—a key part of Vision 2030 and the newly announced Saudi Green Initiative.

These include:
Robust policies governing the development of heritage and environmentally sensitive areas
Sustainable agricultural production and development of AlUla’s rural community
Improved water management
Zero-carbon policy

Once complete, the Journey Through Time Masterplan will contribute to RCU’s goals to contribute SAR 120 billion (USD 32 billion) to the national GDP and create 38,000 new jobs by 2035.

The Journey Through Time Masterplan covers five districts, spanning the 20-km heart of AlUla. Each district will focus on a key heritage site:

District 1: AlUla Old Town, the labyrinthine heart of AlUla’s community and ancient cultural oasis
District 2: Dadan, the capital of the Dadan and Lihyan Kingdoms,
District 3: Jabal Ikmah, AlUla’s “open air library” of rock inscriptions (petroglyphs)
District 4: The Nabataean Horizon, a cluster of cultural assets mirroring Nabataean architecture
District 5: Hegra Historical City, Saudi Arabia’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site

The Journey Through Time Masterplan is the first in a series of plans for AlUla and constitutes the first and most important part of AlUla’s development.
It will be implemented in three phases until 2035. Phase 1 is scheduled for completion in 2023 and will aim at providing a continuous visitor-centric experience; an experience based on the implementation of overall connector projects, such as the Wadi of Hospitality, which acts as the route into the Journey Through Time; and a series of district-based projects which will significantly enhance the singular character of each district as an integrated experience of a Cultural Landscape.

The Journey Through Time Masterplan has been developed by a team of international and Saudi experts and is backed by extensive scientific studies on AlUla’s human patterns and environmental and geological evolution.

A team of international and Saudi experts at RCU developed the plan, with support from RCU’s partners at the Agence Française pour le développement d’AlUla (AFALULA) and RCU’s Advisory Board. It was also closely informed by archaeological research in AlUla.

This research includes extensive scientific surveys, research, and studies ranging from archaeological, geo-archaeological, and archaeobotanical surveys to plant resources, soil and water dynamics, agricultural practices, and more.

Research and study programmes at a glance:
Three major archaeological survey programmes across AlUla County:
AlUla Core Area—ground and drone landscape survey with Oxford Archaeology
AlUla Cultural Oasis—ground survey of the farms and water management features from Hegra to Old Town with Archaïos, led by AFALULA
AlUla Hinterland—helicopter and ground landscape survey with University of Western Australia

Five major and targeted archaeological excavation programmes across AlUla County:
AlUla Core Area—targeted excavations of prehistoric funerary and ritual structures and settlements plus selected masterplan structures with Oxford Archaeology
Old Town—targeted excavations in Alzawiya and Hamad b. Yunis Mosques
AlUla Hinterland—targeted excavations of prehistoric funerary and ritual structures and settlements with University of Western Australia
Dadan—excavation, conservation, and survey with the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, RCU, and King Saud University, led by AFALULA
Hegra—excavation, conservation, and survey led by the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique

Three conservation surveys and stabilisation programmes:
Old Town—detailed survey to create high-resolution 2D plans, elevations, and 3D models; stabilisation of 30 units; restoration of two mosques; drainage and pest studies; and conservation guidelines with Heritage Conservation Consulting, plus materials testing and studies by CRAterre
Hegra, Jabal Ikmah, Dadan, Abu Ud—detailed scanning and orthophotography to create high-resolution 3D models with Factum Foundation
Hegra, Jabal Ikmah, Dadan, Abu Ud—determining adverse environmental factors with Istituto Superiore per la Protezione e la Ricerca Ambientale de Italia

Three Studies:
Old Town—establishing development of the town, through historical research, building archaeology, and targeted excavations with Archaïos, led by AFALULA
AlUla Oasis Archaeobotany—seed recovery and identification of past plant resources with the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, led by AFALULA
AlUla Oasis Geoarchaeology—soil sampling to identify natural and cultural phenomena over time with the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, led by AFALULA

The Journey Through Time Masterplan is financed by RCU’s government budget backed by the Ministry of Finance, earmarked for the development of AlUla. It would be supported by income from RCU’s tourism and economic initiatives.

In line with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 goals, RCU is also exploring opportunities to collaborate with investors on a journey rooted in sustainability, community inclusivity, and responsible development.

Design Space AlUla

Design Space AlUla is a dynamic design centre and the first permanent space in the region dedicated to showcasing AlUla’s design initiatives. It serves as a gallery, archive, and workshop, encouraging creativity and innovation through exhibitions and collaborative programs.

You’ll find Design Space AlUla in AlJadidah Arts District, a lively area known for its blend of culture, cuisine, and creativity. In addition to exploring creative designs, visitors can enjoy artisanal coffee shops, gourmet dining, and a range of food trucks. 

FAQ's

An enticing program designed to inspire, promote, and mobilize businesses towards sustainability while delivering exceptional quality service to our valued visitors. This program aims to not only support businesses and the overall ecosystem but also foster their participation in the AlUla season.

The program offers an inclusive opportunity for businesses operating in various sectors, such as Food and Beverages, Retail Stores, Activities, and Farms. With a strong emphasis on quality, the program aims to enhance customer satisfaction through improved services, leverage social media platforms, ensure compliance with standards, contribute to the preservation of the environment and sustainable tourism destinations, and promote local content participation.


All businesses owners/ investors or individuals whom products are serving one of the following categories: 

•    Food & Beverage

•    Retail Stores 

•    Activities

•    Farms


1.    The brand itself must have a minimum of one year of experience (operational for one year or more).

2.    Maintaining at least 30% Saudization (from AlUla local community.

3.    At least 80% of customer satisfaction rate in social media platforms (minimum 100 reviews).

4.    The applicant must adhere to the operational guidelines across the overall contract period.

5.    The business has to use Environmentally Friendly Materials such as biodegradable disposable plastics.

6.    The applicant must submit a Feasibility Study which contains -but not limited to- (Scope, Product Design, Financial Study and Operational Plan).

7.    The final approval is subjected to RCU review while checking the product uniqueness and its suitability to the selected area within AlUla.

8.    All governmental authorities’ requirements must be followed prior, during and after obtaining the Municipality Permit/License and during the whole contract period.

9.    A quality representative must be assigned by the applicant.


Small Scale Business (Local Community Prioritized)

•    Sponsorship of approved CAPEX and up to 30% (a maximum of 100,000 SAR

•    License Facilitation

•    Promotion (RCU social media)

•    Location

Mid-Scale Business

•    Sponsorship of approved CAPEX and up to 25% (a maximum of 500,000 SAR)

•    License Facilitation

•    Promotion (RCU social media)

•    Location

Large Scale Business

•    Sponsorship of approved CAPEX and up to 20% (a maximum of one million SAR)

•    License Facilitation

•    Promotion (RCU social media & Influencer)

•    Location


1.    The brand itself must have a minimum of one year of experience (operational one year or more).

2.    Number of Employee. 

3.    The amount of CAPEX.


•    To sustain the businesses success during and after the season.

•    Enhance the satisfaction levels and the quality of the services provided to our visitors.

•    Support in business sustainability and growth by monitoring market status.

•    Develop a transparent application website to support with a clear incentive scheme.

•    Increasing the level of employment available in AlUla.

During the season starting from September 2023 to March 2024 and businesses owners/ investors will have the opportunity to apply during June – September

•    First, access the program page through the rcu.gov.sa. website. 

The Link: https://www.rcu.gov.sa/en/incentiveandrewardingprogram/incentive-program/

•    Then, read the RCU program requirements that should be aligned with the business. 

•    Apply by providing the project information.


•    Feasibility study

•    Licensing/permits cost

•    Rent/location cost

•    Design and construction

•    Equipment & tools

•    A maintenance contract (pest control, equipment maintenance. etc)

•    Employee salaries

•    Submit a Feasibility Study which contains -but not limited to- (scope, product design, financial study, and operational plan). 

•    Product uniqueness and its suitability to be selected to operate in AlUla. 

•    Contain of local content plan.

•    Environmentally friendly material plan.

•    The proposed project must be in AlUla (with an estimation to the financial study). 

•    Fill the Excel sheet with all relevant quotations reflecting the cost of the products that are above 10k SAR.

Accepted applicants will operate in AlUla as per the accepted Location by RCU.

Issuing Payments will be after signing the contract in accordance so, the business will be sponsored as per the below scheme:

•    50% of the awarded sponsorship – after obtaining the Municipality Permit/License.

•    25% of the awarded sponsorship – after the 1st third of the period.

•    25% of the sponsorship amount will be disbursed upon completion of the approved period and evaluation of the financial documents.

•    Assurance team for inspection/ audit

•    Mystery Shoppers

•    Surveyors

•    QR codes

•    Visitor's feedback through social media

•    Contracts were created to preserve the RCU rights.

•    Vendors will be responsible for all assets and the preservation of the location.

•    Payments will be stopped in case of non-compliance

•    The last payment will be released after validating all documents from the finance team.

•    Businesses will be monitored by all excellence tools and systems.

•    Google Review (i, e: 4 out of 5 as an overall customer satisfaction). 

•    Trip Adviser (i, e: 4 out of 5 as an overall customer satisfaction).

Incentive Program offers opportunities for both International and local existing businesses and the brand itself must have a minimum of one year of experience (operational for one year or more).

All required governmental documents will be submitted before obtaining the Municipality Permit/License which has to be valid during the whole contract period.

Any responsible person from the same business (supervisor/ manager or owner) that can close observation, social media compliant and ensure the quality that are compliance to the RCU excellence guidelines. 

Any application is sponsored or incentivized by any other government programs will be terminated from the Incentive Program at RCU. 

FAQ incentive-program

Utilizing at least 30% of AlUla’s product, services, manpower, or a combination of all to implement the local content.

Do you have more questions?

Use the form to ask us your question directly. We’re here to listen and respond promptly. Simply fill in your details, type your message, and click “Send message”—we’ll be in touch as soon as possible.