Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) has launched the Wadi al-Disah project in the kingdom’s Western Region.

The scheme is located in the northwest of the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Nature Reserve and southwest of Tabuk. It is 400 metres above sea level with temperatures ranging from 12°C to 31°C.

The location includes several archaeological sites such as the facades of Nabataean tombs, and the remains of walls containing Nabataean and Arabic writings in Kufic script.

The development is planned for sustainable tourism that preserves the local environment and wildlife, while creating job opportunities at the same time. The PIF says it will establish a company to develop the project.

The PIF announced details of another Red Sea project known as Amaala in September. That project will be developed on three sites between Dibha and Alwajh. They will cover an area of more than 3,800 square kilometres within the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Nature Reserve.

The Tourism Information & Research Centre of the Saudi Commission for Tourism & National Heritage recently reported that the kingdom’s travel and tourism sector grew at a much faster rate than the wider economy. Tourism revenues have increased from SR57.3bn ($15bn) in 2004, to reach more than SR193bn in 2017, with expectations of exceeding SR211bn in 2018.