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Saudi Arabia’s Soudah Development Company (SDC) has appointed US-based engineering firm Parsons Corporation as the project management consultant for Soudah Peaks, a mountain tourism destination set 3,015 metres above sea level on the country’s highest peak in the Asir region.

Parsons’ scope of work includes project management and site supervision services for six development zones covering an area of more than 635 square kilometres, including Tahlal, Sahab, Sabrah, Jareen, Rijal and Red Rock.

The development will have 2,700 hotel rooms, 1,336 residential units and 30 other attractions.

The masterplan will be developed in three phases.

The first phase will include the development of five out of six zones. 

Jareen will be developed as part of the third phase when the infrastructure and connectivity are fully established within the development.

Soudah Development CEO Saleh Aloraini said: “We are delighted to partner with Parsons on this project, marking a giant leap forward in bringing our vision of luxury tourism experiences to life.”

Pierre Santoni, president of infrastructure EMEA at Parsons, said: “We’re thrilled to be working on yet another one of the key projects under the Saudi leadership’s national transformation blueprint, Vision 2030.”

Soudah development plan

The first phase will include 940 hotel keys, 391 residential units and 1,025 staff accommodation units.

The construction is expected to start in 2024 and is slated for completion by 2026.

The second phase will increase the total to 1,735 hotel rooms, 641 residential units and 2,150 staff accommodation units.

The construction is planned for 2027, and its completion is expected in 2029.

The final phase will have 2,700 hotel rooms, 1,336 residential units and 3,022 staff accommodation units.

In September last year, MEED reported that Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman Al Saud had announced a masterplan to develop the Soudah Peaks project.

Speaking at the launch, the crown prince said: “Soudah Peaks will be a significant addition to the tourism sector in Saudi Arabia and place the kingdom on the global tourism map while highlighting and celebrating the country’s rich culture and heritage.” 

Launched in 2021, SDC is wholly owned by Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth vehicle, the Public Investment Fund.

An investment of SR11bn ($3bn) has been planned to develop tourism infrastructure and attractions in the Aseer region in the southwest of the kingdom.

SDC intends to partner with the local community and private sector to develop hospitality, residential, commercial and entertainment offerings that will attract more than 2 million visitors a year, creating 8,000 direct and indirect permanent jobs by 2030.