Saudi Arabia has approached consultants for a contract to provide programme management services for the development of tourism infrastructure around historical sites around the ancient city of Al-Ula.

Located in 380 kilometres north of Medina, the 22,000 square-kilometre Al-Ula area has a history dating back thousands of years to the days when Dadanites, the Lihyanites and Nabateans ruled the area. Later the region was influenced by the Greeks, Romans, and the Ottomans.

The development plans are in the early stages and include the construction of roads to provide access to the area as well as hotels and resorts. The planning is understood to involve several government agencies including the Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage as well as the Public Investment Fund. There is also a Royal Commission for Al-Ula.

French involvement in the project is also expected with reports from Paris suggesting that a partnership agreement will be signed during Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz al-Saud’s visit to the French capital.

During his visit on 9 April, Prince Mohammed met with the Director-General of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), Audrey Azoulay. During the meeting, they discussed development plans in line with the Riyadh's Vision 2030.

The development plans for Al-Ula will supplement the Red Sea coast development that was launched in mid-2017. It covers 200km of coastline between the cities of Amlaj and Al-Jawh on the western coast of the kingdom.

The area for development is vast and includes a wide range of attractions. These include: 50 natural islands, heritage sites such as the ancient ruins of Madain Saleh, mountains, nature reserves, dormant volcanoes at Harat Alrahat, coastlines and beaches.