The Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) has announced a partnership with hotel and resort brand Aman, who will develop its first three properties in the region.
The partnership agreement was signed by Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Culture, the Governor of the Royal Commission for AlUla Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Mohammad bin Farhan Al Saud and Aman Chairman and CEO Vladislav Doronin, marking the brand’s first entry into Saudi Arabia and the region.
Aman will develop three distinct luxury resorts featuring a tented camp, a resort near AlUla’s heritage areas and a third development as a desert ranch-style resort. Detailed design work on all three properties is scheduled to start in the coming months with a development timeline that will welcome the first guests in 2023.
“We’re proud to be signing this agreement with a luxury operator who shares our vision of sensitive development that both works with and incorporates the local landscape and culture in a highly sympathetic manner, while demonstrating our commitment to delivering an extraordinary visitor experience in AlUla,” says Prince Badr.
“The decision by Aman to open its first resorts in the Middle East in AlUla shows the promise and progress of the vision for AlUla to become a worldwide destination for those seeking unique experiences. I believe this partnership will be the next step in the development of the yet-to-be-discovered masterpiece that is AlUla,” he adds.
RCU and Aman have also signed a partnership to design, manage and brand the destinations.
“Many of our existing Aman destinations are located in areas of outstanding natural beauty and rich history. With the addition of spectacular AlUla, this takes us to ten properties situated near or in UNESCO heritage sites, making it a fitting location for our first destination in the Middle East,” says Doronin.
This milestone is part of RCU’s overall strategic plan to welcome tourism and hospitality opportunities and attract more hotel operators, developers and investors. RCU also plans to hold a series of workshops and seminars aimed for the local population.