DUBAI – Following the historic opening of its first physical assets in December, Diriyah Company will showcase its growing tourist offering to the world at the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) at the World Trade Centre in Dubai next month.

After opening both the historic UNESCO World Heritage Site At-Turaif and the Middle East’s premier fine dining destination Bujairi Terrace in December 2022, Diriyah has begun welcoming tourists from around the world. With 38 confirmed hotel partnerships and an enormous US$63.2 billion project pipeline, Diriyah is fast becoming a global leader in tourism and hospitality.

Attendees are invited to meet representatives from Diriyah Company by the Visit Saudi stand in Hall 4 throughout the event. Diriyah Company’s Group CEO Jerry Inzerillo and Chief Marketing Officer Kiran Haslam will also be speaking at panels during the event. Their contributions will demonstrate Diriyah and Saudi Arabia’s leadership in sustainable development, tourism, and economic growth. Both will provide excellent insights into the formidable efforts underway to harness the power of green growth and tourism, to drive positive change across the sector.
In addition to showcasing its existing assets, the Company is also set invite visitors to come and explore Diriyah and all it has to offer.

Located just 15 minutes from the heart of Riyadh, Diriyah was the site of the founding of the First Saudi State in 1727 and is the ancestral home of the House of Al Saud. At its center stands the UNESCO World Heritage Site of At-Turaif. A magnificent centuries-old mud-brick palace, its traditional Najdi architecture has been the design inspiration for the entire development, connecting it to its past and incorporating local materials into the building process. A global gathering place for artists, intellectuals, and scholars, Diriyah has been a hub for cultural exchange for almost 300 years and the roots of modern Saudi society can be found in its awe-inspiring story.

Diriyah Company’s mission is to open this historical treasure to the world by transforming Diriyah into one of the world’s most exquisite cultural tourist destinations. Diriyah will be a 14-square-kilometer mixed-use development, housing hospitality, commercial, retail, and residential offerings, that will conserve and enhance the deeply rooted heritage of the area and provide a quality of life unmatched across the Arabian Peninsula.

Diriyah will add around $7.2 billion to the Kingdom’s GDP, attract 27 million annual visitors, and create 55,000 permanent new jobs. This will support a key ambition of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 strategy, to attract 100 million visitors a year and increase tourism’s contribution to the Kingdom’s GDP from 3.2% in 2022 to 10% by the end of the decade.

Jerry Inzerillo, Group CEO of Diriyah Company, commented: “The tourism sector has become one of the key elements of Saudi Arabia’s economic diversification. Diriyah is playing a major role in this transformation. The opening of At-Turaif and the Kingdom’s premier dining district, Bujairi Terrace, were important moments in a new era for Diriyah, the City of Earth, as we begin welcoming visitors to the heart of the Kingdom. We have a rolling masterplan, and we will be announcing and launching ground-breaking assets every year from now until 2030.”
 
About Diriyah
Diriyah is set to become Saudi Arabia’s foremost historical, cultural and lifestyle destination. As part of the Kingdom’s 2030 Vision, 14 square kilometers of Diriyah will be transformed into one of the world’s foremost historic tourism destinations. Diriyah is located within Riyadh province, just 15 minutes north-west of Riyadh’s city center. It is recognized as a symbolic center of inspiration for the generations of leaders that have led the Kingdom since the foundation of the first Saudi Arabian state in 1727. As the renewed cultural and historic capital of the nation, Diriyah will be designed and built with Saudi traditions and heritage in mind. The mixed-use traditional urban community will be created in an authentic Najdi architectural style, typical of Saudi villages of centuries past. Sitting at the cultural heart of Diriyah lies the historic city of At-Turaif. Built in 1766, At-Turaif is recognized as one of the world’s foremost mud-brick cities. Designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2010, it is today set to become one of the nation’s must-see historic destinations. With cultural and lifestyle experiences at its heart, Diriyah will be enriched by entertainment, learning, shopping, dining, hospitality, residential and workplace offerings. On completion, it will be home to a population of 100,000 residents, workers, students and visitors and will celebrate the rich cultural history of Saudi Arabia. The development will feature an array of world-class cultural, entertainment, retail, hospitality, educational, office and residential areas, including 38 hotels, a diverse collection of museums, a bustling retail heart and over 100 places to dine. The existing Bujairi Terrace will soon be home to Riyadh’s new premium dining hub, enjoying uninterrupted views of At-Turaif; and the 135-key Bab Samhan, a Luxury Collection Hotel. Wadi Hanifah, a two square kilometer space accessible from the escarpment walk, will provide passive and active recreational spaces and boutique hospitality venues; places to unwind and spend the afternoon with family and friends in the beautiful wadi surroundings.

About the Diriyah Company
The Diriyah Company, formerly Diriyah Development Authority (DGDA) was established in July 2017 and is responsible for the preservation of Diriyah’s history, celebrating its community and establishing the UNESCO World Heritage site of At-Turaif, as one of the world’s greatest gathering places at the heart of Saudi Arabia, embodying the rich heritage and culture of the Kingdom. We are focused on the protection and preservation of the Kingdom’s history including the stories of our forefathers as well as our physical heritage. In line with design, development and preservation standards, Diriyah Company is creating an environment that enhances Diriyah’s historic, national and international relevance, including the preservation of At-Turaif. The Diriyah Company is transforming Diriyah into one of the region’s foremost destinations for cultural knowledge-sharing activities and international events. We aspire to develop Diriyah into a global gathering place by creating rich experiences that narrate the stories of its history, instilling a sense of Saudi pride and creating globally renowned destinations and landmarks. The Company is ensuring Diriyah’s cultural landmarks are complemented by leading hospitality brands, fine dining experiences and world-class retail offerings. We are devoted to enabling the people of Diriyah to achieve their goals and in bringing to life the historic town for both local and international audiences. The Diriyah Company will celebrate the local community, showing social, cultural and historical achievements, connecting with Saudi Arabia’s roots and creating solid foundations on which to build the best possible future for the community. The Diriyah Company works alongside Diriyah’s executive bodies, as the primary regulator for the supervisory area (190sqkm) and will exercise best practice in Land Management and Building Permit and License issuance and oversight.
 
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