UNESCO adds Salma Geopark, North Riyadh Geopark to its global network
RIYADH: UNESCO has recognized Saudi Arabia's geological diversity by adding the North Riyadh Geopark and Salma Geopark to its global network — marking a significant milestone in the Kingdom's environmental conservation and sustainable development efforts.
This prestigious designation opens new frontiers for geological tourism, scientific research, and international collaboration.
Hussam Al-Turki, director of the Saudi Geoparks Initiative, emphasized that this achievement transcends mere classification. It represents a strategic vision deeply aligned with Saudi Vision 2030's goal of establishing the Kingdom as a global leader in environmental sustainability.
'From the beginning, we aspired for these geoparks to be more than geological sites — they are living platforms that narrate Earth's stories, bearing witness to the passage of time and reflecting the rich natural diversity we possess,' Al-Turki told Arab News.
Each geopark boasts a unique geological character. North Riyadh Geopark offers visitors fossilized coral reefs dating back over 150 million years, alongside limestone caves and mountain ranges that unveil geological transformations.
Salma Geopark in Hail presents a dramatic landscape of rare volcanic formations, including calderas, lava fields, and volcanic craters that chronicle millions of years of geological activity.
Beyond tourism, these geoparks represent promising research platforms. Universities and scientific centers, both locally and internationally, now have unprecedented opportunities to study Earth's layers and natural phenomena.
Al-Turki noted that the project adheres to the highest global standards, with UNESCO conducting rigorous evaluations before approving the sites.
This classification sends a clear message to the world: preserving geological heritage is not a luxury but a developmental commitment and an investment in a green future.
'With additional sites under development, Saudi Arabia is redefining humanity's relationship with the Earth,' Al-Turki concluded.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Leaders
12 hours ago
- Leaders
Saudi Arabia Welcomes 116 mln Visitors in 2024
Saudi Arabia welcomed nearly 116 million domestic and inbound tourists in 2024, marking a significant milestone in the Kingdom's tourism sector, according to the Saudi Press Agency. The ministry also released its 2024 Annual Statistical Report on Saudi Arabia's tourism sector to highlight key indicators of tourism activity and review the sector's growth during the year. Minister of Tourism Ahmed Al-Khateeb stated that the report focuses on the efforts of the ministry and all stakeholders in Saudi Arabia's tourism ecosystem. According to the report, total tourism spending for domestic and inbound travel recorded approximately SAR284 billion, marking an 11% year-over-year growth. Furthermore, the Kingdom reached its highest-ever number of inbound tourists, with almost 30 million visitors in 2024, marking an 8% rise compared to 2023. Meanwhile, inbound tourism spending in 2024 surged to SAR168.5 billion, up 19% from the previous year. The Ministry of Tourism noted that this remarkable success was mainly driven by the efforts and support of the Saudi leadership in line with the Saudi Vision 2030. As for domestic tourism, the ministry reported noticeable growth with 86.2 million domestic tourists in 2024, representing a 5% increase compared to 2023. The domestic tourism spending also reached SAR115.3 billion in 2024. Related Topics: Saudi Arabia Sets Ambitious Target: 70 Million Tourists by 2030 Eid Al-Adha Brings Influx of Tourists to Haql's Scenic Beaches, Parks Saudi Arabia Targets Over 5M Chinese Tourists by 2030 Short link : Post Views: 19
Saudi Gazette
18 hours ago
- Saudi Gazette
Tourism Ministry: Saudi Arabia tops 100 million visitors for second year in a row in 2024
Saudi Gazette report RIYADH — Saudi Arabia welcomed around 116 million domestic and foreign tourists in 2024, and this figure marks an increase of six percent compared to 2023, according to the Ministry of Tourism. In its 2024 Annual Statistical Report on Saudi Arabia's tourism sector, released on Sunday, the ministry stated that total tourism spending for domestic and inbound travel during the last year reached approximately SR284 billion, reflecting an 11 percent year-over-year growth. The ministry noted that Saudi Arabia recorded its highest-ever number of inbound tourists, with approximately 30 million visitors in 2024, marking an 8 percent rise compared to 2023. Inbound tourism spending in 2024 totaled SR168.5 billion, up 19 percent from the previous year. Domestic tourism also experienced solid growth with 86.2 million domestic tourists in 2024, marking a five percent increase compared to 2023. Moreover, domestic tourism spending reached SR115.3 billion in 2024. The ministry's annual report highlighted key indicators of tourism activity and underscored the sector's continued growth following the significant progress made in 2023. Minister of Tourism Ahmed Al-Khateeb stated that the strong performance reflected in the 2024 report was achieved through the guidance and support of the Kingdom's leadership. He highlighted that tourism has become a key enabler of Saudi Vision 2030, with the report shedding light on the sector's accelerated growth, driven by the efforts of the ministry and all stakeholders in Saudi Arabia's tourism ecosystem. The ministry invited investors and stakeholders to view the full 2024 Annual Statistical Report, available on its official website.
Arab News
21 hours ago
- Arab News
Gulf visitor spending to hit $224bn by 2034, GCC-Stat says
RIYADH: Visitor spending in Gulf Cooperation Council nations is projected to reach $223.7 billion by 2034, driven by economic diversification, mega-projects, infrastructure upgrades, and relaxed visa policies, new data showed. According to the GCC Statistical Center, as reported by Emirates News Agency – WAM, inbound visitor spending is expected to contribute 13.4 percent to the region's total exports — underscoring tourism's growing role in Gulf economies seeking to reduce dependence on oil. This comes as GCC countries, led by Saudi Arabia, ramp up efforts to diversify their economies by investing in tourism. Central to Saudi Vision 2030 is a goal to raise tourism's share of gross domestic product from 3 to 10 percent and attract 150 million annual visits, with mega-projects like NEOM spearheading the shift. The WAM report stated: 'The centre also indicated that GCC countries are achieving steady progress in many tourism-related indicators.' It added: 'The data demonstrate that total international visitor spending in GCC countries amounted to $135.5 billion in 2023, with a 28.9 percent increase compared to the figures recorded in 2019.' GCC countries also lead the Middle East and North Africa region in safety and security, outperforming the regional average of 5.86 points on a scale of 1 to 7. Additionally, all six Gulf states rank among the top Arab nations in terms of passport power, reinforcing their global travel competitiveness. The findings underscored the GCC's growing appeal as a premier tourism and business destination. This tourism boom aligns with broader economic diversification plans as oil-reliant nations shift their focus toward hospitality, entertainment, and business travel. Additionally, more flexible visa policies and improved infrastructure — such as modern airports and strong safety standards — are helping the region gradually become more attractive to international tourists, offering an alternative to traditional destinations like Europe and Asia. The GCC's geographic advantage as a bridge between East and West, coupled with investments in aviation, has turned the region into a global transit and tourism hotspot. All GCC nations are collectively transforming into a global tourism powerhouse, each leveraging unique strengths under ambitious national strategies. According to a report by consultancy firm Roland Berger, Saudi Arabia leads with Vision 2030, combining religious pilgrimage with giga-projects like NEOM. The UAE counters with its Tourism Strategy 2031, doubling down on its established formula of luxury experiences and cultural fusion, aiming for 40 million hotel guests. Qatar, building on its World Cup, is refining its urban tourism appeal, while Oman bets on natural beauty to attract 11 million annual visitors. Even smaller players like Bahrain and Kuwait are making strategic moves — Bahrain by leveraging Formula 1 to boost leisure tourism and Kuwait through investments in entertainment infrastructure.
