The Minister of Tourism inaugurates the Northern Tourism Route as part of Saudi Winter
In a strategic move to bolster Saudi Arabia's position as a diverse global tourist destination, His Excellency the Minister of Tourism, Mr. Ahmed Al-Khatib, inaugurated the first leg of the "Northern Tourism Trail," a key pillar of the "Saudi Winter" program. This extensive field tour began in the capital, Riyadh, and continued through the Qassim region, culminating in Hail, the "Bride of the North," with the aim of highlighting the geographical and cultural treasures of these areas.
Starting from the depths of geological history
The Minister began his exploratory tour in Thadiq Governorate, where he inspected the potential of the "North Riyadh Geopark." This site is considered one of the most important geological heritage sites that the Kingdom seeks to register internationally, given its unique rock formations and rare natural valleys. During the tour, Al-Khatib emphasized the importance of integrating sustainable tourism with scientific knowledge, stressing the need to preserve this geological heritage under the supervision of the National Center for Vegetation Development.
The visit was not limited to the natural aspect, but also included the tourist village of Ghamra and the heritage village in Thadiq, where the minister toured among the mud buildings and popular markets that reflect the authentic Najdi identity, giving visitors a live experience of the old lifestyle in the central region.
Al-Qassim: A model for rural and agricultural tourism
The tour then moved to the Qassim region, considered the Kingdom's breadbasket, where the Minister learned about the growing rural tourism sector. He visited the "Al-Bustan" farm in Buraidah, a prime example of integrating agriculture with attractive tourism—a type of tourism that is witnessing increasing global demand. He also visited the Qassim Cultural Heritage Center, praising its role in preserving the region's cultural heritage and presenting it to the world in a modern way befitting the Kingdom's stature.
Hail: A meeting place of civilizations and adventures
The Minister of Tourism concluded his tour in the Hail region, where he explored the historical depths of Jabal Umm Sinman in Jubbah, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This site documents human engravings dating back more than ten thousand years, making it an open-air museum that tells the story of human settlement in the Arabian Peninsula.
The minister was briefed on the readiness of the hiking trails in the Aja Mountains and the desert adventure experiences, in addition to visiting the homes of Hatem Al-Tai and the Al-Didhan Reserve, to see the integration of the tourism experience that combines literary heritage and natural adventure.
The strategic importance of the northern route
The launch of this route comes within the framework of the Kingdom's Vision 2030, which aims to raise the tourism sector's contribution to the GDP to 10%. The "Northern Route" is a unique product that connects heritage with nature and capitalizes on the Kingdom's mild winter climate to attract tourists from within and outside the country, providing promising economic opportunities for local communities in the provinces through which the route passes.
