Held at the farmers’ market in the cultural oasis, the festival combines natural beauty, traditional farming practices, and local produce, creating an engaging experience for attendees of all ages.

Visitors have the opportunity to explore a wide variety of locally grown citrus fruits, purchase directly from farmers, and gain insight into AlUla’s agricultural legacy that spans generations.

The festival highlights the connection between the land, local communities, and the economy, reinforcing the significance of agriculture as a cornerstone of sustainable development in the region.

Local producers are provided platforms to display their best citrus varieties, interact with customers, and expand business opportunities, supporting the livelihood of nearly 5,000 farms across the governorate.

Interactive activities, family-friendly events, and live cooking demonstrations enhance the festival’s appeal, encouraging engagement with traditional recipes and culinary techniques that feature citrus products.

The event has contributed to revitalizing economic activity in the agricultural sector, promoting seasonal produce, and strengthening the social fabric by bringing together communities and visitors.

Farmers benefit from direct sales, feedback from visitors, and increased exposure for their high-quality produce, helping to maintain the cultural and economic sustainability of the region.

AlUla’s citrus varieties, including oranges, lemons, limes, and mandarins, are celebrated for their freshness, flavor, and local significance, giving visitors an immersive experience into the governorate’s agricultural excellence.

The festival underscores the importance of community events in supporting local economies, fostering tourism, and preserving traditional farming practices in modern contexts.

The AlUla Citrus Festival continues until January 16, offering extended opportunities for tourism, education, and commerce while reinforcing AlUla’s identity as a cultural and agricultural hub.

By engaging visitors, promoting local produce, and offering interactive experiences, the festival strengthens AlUla’s position in regional and global agricultural tourism markets.

The success of the festival reflects strategic efforts to integrate cultural heritage with economic growth, highlighting sustainable practices that benefit both the community and visitors.

The combination of local produce markets, culinary showcases, and cultural programming ensures the event delivers a multifaceted experience that supports agriculture and tourism simultaneously.

Visitors gain exposure to the region’s farming techniques, citrus cultivation methods, and seasonal production cycles, fostering appreciation for sustainable agriculture and the unique environment of AlUla.

The festival’s programming encourages participation, education, and direct engagement with the agricultural sector, bridging gaps between producers, consumers, and tourists alike.

Overall, the AlUla Citrus Festival exemplifies how cultural and agricultural events can enhance community engagement, strengthen local economies, and elevate the profile of regional produce to global audiences.

Through sustained participation and promotion, AlUla’s citrus industry benefits from increased market visibility, economic resilience, and the preservation of traditional agricultural knowledge.

Approved by Minister of Tourism Ahmed Al-Khateeb, the reforms aim to expand employment opportunities for Saudi nationals, elevate service quality, and build a sustainable, citizen-driven tourism industry in alignment with Saudi Vision 2030.

The Ministry of Tourism announced that all hospitality and tourism establishments across the Kingdom are now required to have at least one Saudi receptionist present during working hours.

This initiative underscores the government’s commitment to providing meaningful employment opportunities for citizens while ensuring that visitors experience authentic Saudi hospitality.

In addition, the new measures emphasize greater transparency and accountability in employment practices. All tourism facilities must now register their employees with the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (MHRSD) before they begin work.

Employment contracts—whether contractual, seconded, or seasonal—must be documented via the Ajeer platform or other officially approved government systems.

This ensures fair labor practices, legal compliance, and greater job security for Saudi workers.

To further streamline operations, establishments with multiple licensed branches are required to link each employee to the specific tourism facility where they work.

This approach prevents duplication, improves workforce tracking, and supports better management of Saudization targets.

The policy also introduces stricter rules against outsourcing or transferring Saudization-designated positions to foreign workers or unlicensed entities.

Instead, such roles must be assigned to establishments accredited by the Ministry of Tourism or licensed to employ Saudis through the MHRSD.

This not only protects job opportunities for local citizens but also enhances the professionalism and accountability of the sector’s workforce.

The ministry has made it clear that compliance with these new regulations will be closely monitored. Non-compliant establishments may face penalties, reflecting the Kingdom’s determination to create a fair and transparent employment environment.

According to the ministry, the introduction of these policies represents a significant milestone in strengthening the Kingdom’s tourism industry, which has been identified as one of the key growth sectors under Vision 2030.

The localization initiative not only boosts national employment but also contributes to improving the overall service experience for tourists from around the world.

By promoting local participation, the ministry aims to foster a new generation of skilled Saudi professionals across various fields—ranging from hospitality management and tour operations to customer service and event planning.

These reforms are designed to nurture local talent, create leadership opportunities for Saudi graduates, and ensure that citizens play a central role in shaping the future of tourism in the Kingdom.

Earlier this year, the ministry introduced several incentives to encourage Saudis to pursue careers in tourism.

Wage subsidies for local workers were increased from 30 percent to 50 percent, making the sector more attractive and financially rewarding.

Additionally, financial support was extended to 43 tourism-related professions, a move that broadens opportunities for young Saudis to build successful and sustainable careers in hospitality and travel.

These combined efforts reflect the Kingdom’s broader ambition to diversify its economy, reduce reliance on foreign labor, and create a dynamic tourism industry led by its own citizens.

With growing investments in tourism infrastructure, heritage preservation, and international events, Saudi Arabia is rapidly emerging as a global destination that blends modernity with cultural authenticity.

Minister Ahmed Al-Khateeb reaffirmed that these localization policies are a cornerstone of Saudi Arabia’s mission to make tourism a key pillar of national growth.

“Empowering our citizens in this vital sector ensures that the Saudi spirit of hospitality shines through every visitor experience,” he said.

As tourism continues to expand—welcoming millions of visitors annually—the new localization drive promises not only to create jobs but also to ensure that the sector remains sustainable, competitive, and deeply rooted in Saudi values.

Saudi Arabia’s Royal Commission for AlUla brings the rich heritage of the North Arabian kingdoms to China, showcasing rare artifacts and shared legacies with Henan’s ancient civilizations.

Saudi Arabia’s Royal Commission for AlUla has unveiled a landmark exhibition in China, celebrating the vibrant history of the ancient North Arabian kingdoms and their enduring influence on regional and global heritage.

Held at the Shang Dynasty Capital Site Museum in Henan province until January 5, the exhibition, “Glimpses of the Ancient North Arabian Kingdoms,” forms part of the Saudi Ministry of Culture’s Saudi-Chinese Cultural Year. It is jointly curated by the commission and the museum, reflecting a growing commitment to international cultural collaboration.

Visitors are invited to explore the civilizations of Dadan, Lihyan, and Nabataea, which once controlled vital caravan routes linking Arabia with Egypt, Mesopotamia, and the Mediterranean. Centered around AlUla, these kingdoms left behind temples, tombs, inscriptions, and exquisite artworks that now offer insight into ancient trade, religion, and daily life.

The exhibition features more than 30 rare objects from AlUla, including 15 artifacts on public display for the first time. Highlights include a finely carved sandstone statue of a Lihyanite ruler from Dadan dating between the fifth and third centuries B.C., votive figurine fragments left by pilgrims at Umm Daraj and Jabal Dadan, and a remarkable 2,000-year-old Nabataean silk fragment from a monumental tomb. A silver “sela” coin from Petra, depicting Nabataean King Aretas IV and Queen Huldu, underscores the region’s rich economic and artistic heritage.

Complementing the Arabian collection, the exhibition also features 10 Chinese artifacts, including camel figurines, incense burners, and cosmetic items. These items draw meaningful parallels between AlUla and Henan, both UNESCO World Heritage Sites, emphasizing shared legacies in trade, writing, and cultural exchange that date back to the first millennium B.C.

Although direct contact between the North Arabian kingdoms and ancient Chinese dynasties has not been definitively documented, organizers highlight that the exhibition provides a unique opportunity to explore interconnected histories of two civilizations that flourished at global crossroads.

“The exhibition allows visitors to appreciate how AlUla’s ancient kingdoms not only shaped Arabia’s cultural landscape but also contributed to a broader story of international exchange,” said a spokesperson for the Royal Commission for AlUla. “By sharing these treasures in China, we celebrate centuries of innovation, trade, and artistic achievement that resonate across cultures today.”

The exhibition has already attracted wide interest from historians, art enthusiasts, and the general public, offering an immersive journey through ancient societies that once bridged continents. Interactive displays and detailed storytelling bring the objects to life, providing educational insights for both adults and students.

Through initiatives like this, Saudi Arabia continues to strengthen cultural ties with China and other nations, showcasing its commitment to preserving and sharing heritage on a global stage. AlUla’s ancient kingdoms, long celebrated for their strategic significance and artistic mastery, are now inspiring new generations worldwide.

As the exhibition continues through early 2026, it stands as a testament to the enduring value of cultural exchange, fostering appreciation for the rich histories that connect distant lands and peoples across time.