AlUla has achieved a milestone as the first destination in the Middle East to receive accreditation from Destinations International, a US-based organisation, according to a report by the Saudi Gazette.
The certification, part of the Destination Marketing Accreditation Program (DMAP), comes one year after AlUla joined Destinations International as the region’s first member. It recognises destination marketing organisations for quality and professionalism.
Since opening to visitors four years ago, AlUla has established itself as a tourism site in Saudi Arabia, offering year-round events and hospitality options.
AlUla meets over 100 performance standards
“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. This accreditation reaffirms our commitment to ensuring the highest standards in our destination and strengthening trust among visitors, stakeholders, and partners. We hope that being part of Destinations International will enable us to share our unique approach with the world and highlight everything that makes AlUla one of the world’s leading luxury destinations today,” Philip Jones, Chief Tourism Officer at the Royal Commission for AlUla said.
To earn the accreditation, AlUla met over 100 performance standards in areas including governance, stakeholder engagement, financial management, and destination development.
This achievement adds to AlUla’s recent accolades. In May, it was named the leading cultural tourism project in the Middle East for the second consecutive year at the World Travel Awards Middle East. It also received recognition as the leading festival and event destination in the Middle East.
The Royal Commission for AlUla has also earned a 5-star rating for organisational excellence from the European Foundation for Quality Management and the Excellence Award from the Middle East Facility Management Association.
AlUla continues to position itself as a luxury heritage destination, offering visitors experiences in arts, culture, nature, wellness, and adventure.
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