The collaboration between the Royal Commission of AlUla (RCU) and Musafir.com, a well-known online travel operator in the UAE, aims to promote AlUla as a travel destination to UAE visitors.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed at Arabian Travel Market 2023 by Sachin Gadoya, CEO and Co-Founder of musafir.com, and Melanie De Souza, Executive Director, Destination Marketing at RCU.
Gadoya said: “AlUla, the World’s Masterpiece, is one of the oldest cities in the Arabian Peninsula with massive tourism potential. The fact that it received close to 185,000 visitors in 2022 speaks volumes about the level of interest among tourists to explore this unique destination and its UNESCO World Heritage site. With Musafir.com's expertise in travel planning and the Royal Commission for AlUla's commitment to preserving the region's heritage, this partnership promises to offer visitors a truly authentic experience of Saudi Arabia's fascinating history and culture.”
“AlUla is ready to receive up to 250,000 visitors in 2023, the majority of which will come from neighbouring nations. As part of the agreement, musafir.com will promote holiday packages to AlUla with the objective of growing the profile of AlUla as a destination. Musafir.com will collaborate on various promotional and marketing initiatives to increase tourist arrivals,” he added.
Melanie De Souza said, “AlUla is a truly unique destination, representing over 200,000 years of largely unexplored human history and 7000 years of continuous human civilisation. From Hegra, Saudi Arabia’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site to the ancient oasis and AlUla Old Town, recently recognised by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) as one of the World’s Best Tourism Villages, to a vibrant arts and culture scene, world-class culinary experiences and a wide range of outdoor activities, AlUla has a broad appeal for visitors from all around the world.