AlUla wins gold at 2026 Responsible Tourism Awards

AlUla has been awarded the gold prize for responsible tourism with a positive impact on nature at the 2026 International Center for Responsible Tourism Awards. The organization received this recognition for its approach that places nature at the forefront of tourism development and its dedication to safeguarding the destination's unique natural ecosystems.

This honor aligns with the global tourism industry's focus on World Tourism Day, which falls on September 27, and marks the increasing interest in responsible growth that preserves the natural and cultural elements that define a destination's identity and uniqueness.

AlUla's nature-first strategy to tourism development earned it the gold award. Over half of its expansive 22,561-square-kilometer territory is designated as nature reserves, and over 500,000 native trees have been planted, along with more than 1,500 animals being released into the wild. This acknowledgment reinforces AlUla's commitment to advancing tourism in a way that aligns with the protection and rejuvenation of its natural ecosystems.

The International Center for Responsible Tourism Awards is a globally respected entity within the realm of sustainable travel. It seeks to honor entities that use tourism to generate positive effects for communities, destinations, and the environment. The Responsible Tourism Awards jury commended AlUla's strategy, which prioritizes nature, underlining its close collaboration with environmental experts and international organizations dedicated to conservation, as well as its unwavering commitment to integrating nature and wildlife into destination planning and development.

AlUla's innovative approach aims to ensure that tourism contributes to the restoration of natural ecosystems and the preservation of cultural heritage, generating enduring sustainable value for landscapes, wildlife, and the communities that are the heart of the destination's identity.

AlUla's rejuvenation strategy centers on the AlUla Sustainability Charter, which places environmental stewardship at the core of the destination's transformation. The area is renowned for its rich plant life, with more than 500 documented plant species. Restoration efforts are directed toward supporting native plants, rehabilitating natural habitats, and bolstering the resilience of desert and oasis ecosystems.

In Sharaan Nature Reserve, these initiatives have involved the restoration of over 74,000 hectares, facilitating the recovery of natural habitats and biodiversity throughout the region.

In addition to nature conservation, AlUla places significant emphasis on preserving its profound cultural heritage. Known for its striking desert landscapes and ancient oases, the destination houses some of the Kingdom's most notable heritage sites, including Hegra, Saudi Arabia's inaugural UNESCO World Heritage Site, celebrated for its remarkably preserved Nabataean tombs.

Together, the natural and cultural landscapes form the bedrock of AlUla's approach to creating a tourism sector that respects and safeguards the destination's identity and legacy for generations to come. On World Tourism Day and throughout the year, AlUla extends an invitation to the world to explore a destination where history, culture, nature, and luxury experiences converge, presenting a premium, low-impact tourism model rooted in thoughtful development and an unwavering dedication to protecting and preserving the destination for future generations.