AlUla Marks A Milestone As First Middle East Destination Certified By Destinations International

AlUla has achieved a significant milestone by receiving accreditation from Destinations International, a US-based organisation. This makes it the first destination in the Middle East to earn this certification. The accreditation is part of the Destination Marketing Accreditation Program (DMAP), which benchmarks quality and professionalism for destination marketing organisations.

The Chief Tourism Officer at the Royal Commission for AlUla, Philip Jones, remarked, "Completing the Destination Marketing Accreditation Program is a significant milestone for AlUla. We strive to develop AlUla's tourism industry and ecosystem to be best-in-class." He further added, "This accreditation reaffirms our commitment to ensuring the highest standards in our destination and strengthening trust among visitors, stakeholders, and partners."

Since opening its doors to visitors four years ago, AlUla has become one of Saudi Arabia's most important tourism sites. This is especially true with its year-round events calendar and top-notch hospitality options. The accreditation comes one year after AlUla joined Destinations International as the first entity from the Middle East.

To achieve Destination Marketing accreditation, over one hundred performance standards must be met. These include governance, stakeholder engagement, financial management, and destination development. An independent committee of industry experts sets these standards and updates them periodically to reflect best practices in the sector.

This accomplishment demonstrates AlUla's progress in reshaping global tourism excellence based on creating a sustainable economy aimed at benefiting the local community. Jones expressed hope that being part of Destinations International would enable AlUla to share its unique approach with the world and highlight its status as a leading luxury destination.

Award-Winning Destination

This achievement adds to a list of prestigious awards that AlUla has recently received. In May, during the World Travel Awards Middle East, AlUla was recognised as the leading cultural tourism project in the Middle East for the second consecutive year. Additionally, it was named the leading festival and event destination in the region and received an award for the best pioneering cultural tourism project in Saudi Arabia for 2024.

The Royal Commission for AlUla also earned a 5-star rating for organisational excellence from the European Foundation for Quality Management. Furthermore, it received an Excellence Award from the Middle East Facility Management Association.

AlUla continues to establish itself as a premier luxury heritage destination. It promises visitors an exceptional experience encompassing arts, culture, nature, wellness, and thrilling adventures. The recent accolades at regional and global levels underscore its distinguished status.

With inputs from SPA