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AlUlA is the newest ‘shooting’ location for Bollywood!

Melanie deSouza, Executive Director Destination Marketing for the Royal Commission for AlUlA insists AlUlA provides the ultimate filming destination.

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Bollywood is always on the lookout for new locations, which locations would you suggest from here?

AlUla is a unique destination with endless possibilities, it is only now being discovered by filmmakers and the world at large. It is a region of outstanding natural and cultural significance featuring some of the world’s most sensational scenery and yet undiscovered historical monuments across an area the size of Belgium. The extraordinary sweeping vistas are the perfect backdrop for a wide genre of films such as historical epics, fantasy adventures, extra-terrestrial worlds, and dramatic war movies and stand in for an array of different locations, countries, and cities, or even another period in time. It is home to the ancient city of Hegra, the country’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site and 200,000 years of history untouched wilderness, several microclimates, fascinating wildlife, and desert oases. The extraordinary diverse landscapes feature breath-taking rock formations, volcanic craters, luscious oasis and vast sandstone canyons. The soaring red-rock canyon area of Sharaan is a designated Nature Reserve committed to preserving the natural environment and re-establishing the rich diversity of plant life and wildlife including acacia woodland, Nubian Ibex, Red-Necked Ostrich, and Idmi Gazelles as well as the elusive Arabian Leopard.

Would it be feasible for Bollywood producers to shoot in AlUla? Are there any sops or rebates being given especially for them?

AlUla is now in a position to offer the ultimate filming destination and welcomes Bollywood productions offering financial incentives, location diversity, production resources, and professional support for international and local feature film, TV drama, commercial, and documentary film production. Production companies are encouraged to get in contact with the Saudi Film Council and Film AlUla team directly to discuss the competitive financial incentives. Interested producers can get in touch with the team: filming@rcu.gov.sa Production companies can also benefit from a range of incentives such as free bespoke production support; location scouting; expert knowledge of filming in Saudi; assistance in sourcing equipment and professional crew locally and regionally and, of course, year-round sunshine. With a temperate climate nine months of the year, Saudi presents filmmakers with an uninterrupted extended period of time during which to shoot their productions. Producers can expect a production-friendly setup location, a range of accommodation options with a skilled English-speaking team of experienced and established production experts to guide and support them every step of the way.Production companies can access the Film Production and Location guides on the website that provides a comprehensive overview of all the benefits of choosing AlUla as your next production destination

Has there been any film shooting there?

Yes, both local and international productions have already shot in AlUla. They include: Cherry directed by the Russo Brothers, Piaget commercial, AlUla brand campaign commercial directed by Bruno Aveillan, Discovery Channel documentary on AlUla narrated by Jeremy Irons, National Geographic about two shoot 2 programmes on AlUla, Extreme E in AlUla coverage, Andrea Boccelli concert coverage, Travel programmes for MBC and SBC and Exhibition with Steve Backshall.

AlUla looks beautiful, why haven’t we heard more about this beautiful place in terms of tourism promotions - before?

AlUla, a region in northwest Saudi Arabia, is a place of extraordinary human and natural heritage. AlUla is certainly a new and interesting destination for Indian travellers. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia opened its doors to tourism and launched the tourist visa in September 2019. The Royal Commission for AlUla has opened offices for tourism across the world in the USA, Asia, EU and Australia with a sole focus on developing AlUla as a holiday destination. Beautiful Planet Destination Marketing has received the mandate to promote AlUla in India from September 2020. And since then, we havebeen promoting AlUla through trade and consumer activities.We expect as soon as the borders open, AlUla will be an interesting destination to explore due to the vast open spaces, outstanding landscape, natural beauty and highest standard of visitor experience. The Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz has a vision to turn AlUla county into a living museum, creating memories that visitors will share with the world. We are bullish about AlUla and see a great potential to promote tourism to AlUla from India. KSA has great flight connections from Indian cities. Pre-pandemic Saudia Airlines operated 68 flights a week from India. Besides Saudia, Air India, Spice Jet and Indigo were also well connected to Saudia Arabia.

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