AlUla secures multi-billion-dollar investment for regeneration programme 12
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he Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) has signed two strategic partnerships to accelerate the regeneration of the region as it starts to implement key facets of its Journey Through Time masterplan launched in April. The agreements with AECOM and an international French consortium comprising Egis, Assystem and Setec, set out a comprehensive development timeline based around three phases that lead up to 2035. The Phase 1 development amounts to more than US$15 billion invested in AlUla’s core 20km historical area. This incorporates social, economic and sustainability projects in five unique hubs with a focus on infrastructure, hospitality, arts and culture, and community development. The partnerships will enhance business and investment opportunities from 2022, accelerating the revitalisation of AlUla as a responsible, sustainable and community-inclusive destination. Since unveiling Journey Through Time, the RCU has made significant progress in developing AlUla as a living museum, while diversifying the economy and creating a vibrant community. To date, $2 billion has been invested in key development projects including expanding AlUla International Airport and completing the stunning and architecturally awarded Maraya venue. By 2035, RCU forecasts that AlUla’s population will more than triple to 130,000 with 38,000 new jobs created and AlUla contributing $32 billion to Saudi Arabia’s GDP.
BOEING DEBUTS 777X AT DUBAI AIRSHOW BOEING DEBUTED ITS newest fuel-efficient widebody jet, the 777X at last month’s Dubai Airshow (November 14-18). The aircraft, which took part in an air display, is “the world’s largest and most efficient twin-engine jet, delivering 10 per cent better fuel use, emissions and operating costs than the competition”, according to Boeing”. The company’s static display at the show also featured the 2021 Boeing ecoDemonstrator, an Alaska Airlines 737-9 that is flight-testing about 20 technologies to reduce fuel use, emissions and noise and further improve safety. Etihad Airways exhibited its 787-10 Dreamliner, showcasing the airline’s collaboration with Boeing to advance sustainable aviation.
DECEMBER 2021
THE BOEING 777X
FOLLOWING ETHICAL TOURISM BRANDS WILL BECOME A MAJOR TREND, SAYS ATM RX Global, organiser of Arabian Travel Market (ATM), has revealed that 2022 could witness a resurgence in brand-conscious travellers, following commentary it received from delegates attending its 2021 responsible tourism seminars. “The feedback we received has enabled us to identify a particular profile of traveller that now actively looks for ethical brands to follow and wants to see tangible evidence of that brand practicing what it claims to be,” said Danielle Curtis, Exhibition Director ME, Arabian Travel Market. “This potential vertical shows a combination of characteristics attributed to outdoor adventurers, wellness, eco-tourists, digital nomads on ‘workcations’, experiential tourists and socially aware travellers.” Data from Statista supports ATM’s findings, with 81 per cent of 29,349 adults surveyed earlier this year across 30 countries confirming they would like to stay in a sustainable resort, at least once in the 12 months ahead. Five years ago, only 62 per cent of respondents, made the same claim. Google found the search term ‘green hotel’ had increased fourfold over the past 18 months in terms of volume. In response, the search engine will now accredit hotels with a green eco-emblem next to their name during a routine search.
