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Royal commission to develop Azulik resort at Al-Ula

23 May 2023

The Royal Commission for Al-Ula (RCU) has announced plans for the development of a new eco-friendly resort, the Azulik Al-Ula Resort.

The project is part of the Journey Through Time (JTT) masterplan, and the commission said in a statement that it aligns with the Al-Ula Sustainability Charter, the Saudi Green Initiative and Vision 2030.

The resort will be located in the Nabatean Horizon District of the JTT masterplan, near the Al-Mutadil Equestrian Village and Wadi Al-Fann. Upon completion in 2027, the resort will include 76 luxury villas, a spa, a VIP club, lounges, dining facilities and a museum.

The resort will feature exteriors using natural materials and fibres, blending with the surrounding ecosystem and sandstone cliffs. The resort will be operated by Mexican luxury brand Azulik and its affiliate, Roth Architecture, is the designer.

The resort will enforce a no-private-vehicle policy within its premises, providing an all-electric mobility system, horse and camel routes and hiking trails for guests instead.

Plans are progressing on other projects at Al-Ula. The RCU is engaged in advanced discussions with France's Alstom for the implementation of an electric tram. The proposed tram network will cover a distance of 50 kilometres, extending from Al-Ula International airport in the south to Hegra City in the north.

In April 2021, the RCU unveiled an investment plan worth SR57bn ($15bn) to regenerate the Al-Ula tourism destination in the Medina region. Under this plan, approximately $3.2bn has been allocated for infrastructure development, including constructing an environmentally friendly tramway and establishing renewable energy sources to meet 50 per cent of the development's energy requirements.

The comprehensive development plan for Al-Ula is divided into three phases, scheduled to be completed by 2035. Phase one of the masterplan is nearing completion, while phase two is set to commence at the end of 2023.

MEED's latest special report on Saudi Arabia includes:

> GIGAPROJECTS: Saudi Arabia under project pressure
> ECONOMY: Riyadh steps up the Vision 2030 tempo
> CONSTRUCTION: Saudi construction project ramp-up accelerates
> UPSTREAM: Aramco slated to escalate upstream spending
> DOWNSTREAM: Petchems ambitions define Saudi downstream
> POWER: Saudi Arabia reinvigorates power sector
> WATER: Saudi water begins next growth phase
> BANKING: Saudi banks bid to keep ahead of the pack
> DATABANK: Riyadh holds its buoyant economic heading

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Colin Foreman

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