Regenerative Tourism: Diriyah’s Path To Building A Sustainable Destination

Saudi Arabia’s tourism sector is undergoing an extraordinary socio-economic transformation right now, and it’s happening at a scale and speed that is unmatched. This is only possible because of #SaudiVision2030, through which the Crown Prince presented a clear sense of direction for the sector and inspired a blueprint to map the way forward.?

This way forward lies in regenerative tourism.

Here, in Diriyah, regenerative practices are a significant part of our development plans and sustainability strategy. For us, sustainability also involves keeping a focus on our community, our culture and our heritage.

Building to last

As the first of the Kingdom’s giga projects to open its doors to the public, we’re excited to be in the position of setting the standard for guest experiences.? We’re transforming 14 square kilometers of this heritage destination while prioritizing sustainability and community living from construction to operations.

We’ve already restored two square kilometers of our historic Wadi Hanifah, which includes palm groves and farms, creating green spaces for our community to enjoy. Plus, for ease of travel, we have e-bikes and scooters available throughout Diriyah along with an underground parking structure to keep Diriyah not just pedestrian-friendly, but pedestrian-first

Our Wadi Safar received the SITES Gold pre-certification in acknowledgment of the quality and authenticity of our restoration practices, while Diriyah itself was awarded the USGBC LEED Platinum certification for our commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility. The first phase of the Diriyah master plan also received a LEED for Cities and Communities , the first time any project in the Middle East received that honor. Along with the international recognition, we’re also enrolled in Saudi Arabia’s own sustainability certification program, MOSTADAM.

These are a handful of significant achievements since DGDA’s launch in 2017, with many more milestones marking our seven-year journey so far. Diriyah used to be known as a great gathering place because of its strategic position among routes for trading and pilgrimage. We’re recapturing that sentiment by hosting events like the Diriyah E-Prix, being a site of celebration for World Tourism Day , running the Traditional Architecture Gathering event, and even hosting the 45th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee .

Sustainability is at our core

Our sustainability vision is clear in its ambitions. We want to create a world-class destination for residents and visitors to enjoy. A destination that’s building green infrastructure, promoting cultural heritage, is home to a vibrant and healthy community, and offers the best possible quality of life.?

To achieve this, every phase of the master plan has an appointed Environmental Monitoring Consultant on the team. They’re in charge of conducting inspections of construction activities and preparing periodic Environmental Performance Reports to submit to the National Center for Environmental Compliance (NCEC).?

Under their supervision, we ensure that we’re using locally sourced materials to support the local economy and vastly reduce carbon emissions through long-haul transport; reintroducing native plants to the local flora; reducing water loss and consumption through drip irrigation, stormwater infrastructure, water metering, and use of recycled treated wastewater; keeping in compliance with local and international green building standards, and a lot more.

Our goal in Diriyah is to develop a destination that balances its rich heritage with today’s sustainable practices. To preserve the past while still enjoying a contemporary urban lifestyle. It’s not about ticking things off a sustainability checklist, it’s about setting the ultimate, unwavering standard for guest experiences.?

That is #Diriyah’s sustainability vision.