RESPONSIBLE TRAVELLER

AlUla secures multi-billion-dollar investment for regeneration programme

The 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 rough Time masterplan launched in April. e 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. e Phase 1 development amounts to more than US$15 billion invested in AlUla’s core 20km historical area. is incorporates social, economic and sustainability projects in ve unique hubs with a focus on infrastructure, hospitality, arts and culture, and community development. e 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 rough Time, the RCU has made signi cant 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-e icient 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 e icient 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.

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.

SAUDI CALLS FOR UNITED SUSTAINABLE TOURISM FRONT

THE CEO OF THE Saudi Tourism Authority (STA) has called on the industry to form a ‘Tourism 20’ delegation of world industry leaders, similar to the G20, which was hosted by Saudi Arabia in 2020.

“At the G20, it was very clear tourism was missing in the room. There’s no Tourism 20,” said Fahd Hamidaddin, speaking at last month’s World Travel Market London at a session entitled: ‘Saudi Arabia: a destination of the future – putting sustainability first’.

Hamidaddin told a packed audience on the WTM Global Stage: “Our ambitions are high. We are seeing far. We are trying to build a leading destination framed with sustainability. Everybody talks about sustainability. Very few actually do something about it.”

Underlining the country’s commitment to sustainability, Amr AlMadani, CEO of The Royal Commission for AlUla, said: “Going green for us and being sustainable is not a choice, it’s the way forward.” John Pagano, CEO of The Red Sea Development Company (TRSDC), added: “Saudi Arabia is taking very bold steps. We are going to be the largest tourism destination in the world, powered 100 per cent by renewable energy.” He invited other tourism companies to follow this lead, concluding: “The tech exists. All that’s lacking is the will. Let’s restore nature.”

GUEST EXPERIENCES THAT MAKE A DIFFERENCE AT BAROS MALDIVES

BAROS MALDIVES is inviting guests to take part in immersive and authentic experiences that help preserve the underwater environment with the launch of its Baros Eco Explorer package. The initiative enables them to personally contribute to programmes led by the resident marine biologist and includes a coral frame planting experience in the coral garden and the creation and planting of a coral cube in the Baros lagoon. These initiatives help to create a coral garden of broken but living corals that otherwise would not survive and to help other areas of the reef to thrive. Also included is a private snorkelling and fish identification session.

ENVI LODGES CO-FOUNDERS CHRIS NADER AND NOELLE HOMSY

ENVI LODGES PARTNERS WITH BEYOND GREEN

ENVI Lodges, the GCC’s rst luxury eco-lodge brand and management company, has joined Beyond Green, a global portfolio of hotels, lodges and resorts representing sustainable tourism leadership. Beyond Green is owned by Preferred Hotel Group, which provides sales, marketing and technology solutions to independent hotels and resorts.

As part of its partnership with Beyond Green, ENVI will bene t from I Prefer, Preferred Hotel Group’s loyalty rewards programme, enabling guests to earn and redeem points in more than 650 hotels and resorts across 80 countries.

ENVI Lodges, which was launched in September by industry specialists Chris Nader and Noelle Homsy, shares Beyond Green’s core values – nature, culture, and community – applied to every aspect of the business, from design to operating philosophy.

Beyond Green members must meet more than 50 sustainable tourism standards that are aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). e vetting process is based on implementation of environmentally friendly practices; protection of natural and cultural heritage; and contribution to the social and economic wellbeing of local communities