Dan Company and Hilton have signed agreement to operate Dan’s first three resorts at a unique farm‑based tourism destination in Al‑Ahsa, in KSA’s Eastern Province. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to promote agritourism—a growing trend where agriculture and tourism intersect to create unique travel experiences.
Dan Company is a Public Investment Fund (PIF) company that aims to play a role in diversifying the economy and enhancing the contribution of city economies to Saudi GDP, in line with Vision 2030 goals. As a player in the Kingdom’s tourism sector, Dan Company contributes to enabling local communities to diversify their economic activities and develop thriving businesses. The company will work closely with key government and private sector stakeholders and contribute to the growth of the tourism industry, with these efforts expected to contribute to the creation of direct and indirect job opportunities. By 2030, Dan is anticipated to contribute approximately $1.6 billion (SR6 billion) to Saudi Arabia’s non-oil GDP as it expands its footprint.
Al-Ahsa – a UNESCO World Heritage site, is home to the Al-Ahsa Oasis, the largest date palm oasis in the world, and is located within a 1.8 million square metre development intended to merge luxury travel with genuine agricultural and ecological experiences. This innovative approach aims to draw international visitors while supporting the local agritourism sector, significantly contributing to the economic diversification goals outlined in Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030.
According to Visit Saudi, “A visit to the Al-Ahsa Oasis is like wandering through an art gallery, in which the captivating components of nature intertwine, creating an image unlike any other in the world. Your feet take you to discover its lush greenery, your eyes enjoy the magnificence of its rocky mountain formations, and your ears listen to the sound of the flow of running springs. Nor will you be able to resist the charm of the archaeological sites, which tell stories dating back thousands of years.”
The agreement includes the development of three themed resorts: the Al-Ahsa Agritourism Resort by LXR Hotels & Resorts, the Al-Ahsa Eco Resort, and the Al-Ahsa Adventure Resort, both under the Curio Collection by Hilton. Each resort will offer a unique angle on luxury travel – from immersive agricultural experiences and ecological wellbeing to adventure tourism – catering to diverse traveller interests.
Cultural and economic impact
Abdulrahman Abaalkhail, CEO of Dan Company, expressed enthusiasm about the integration of Hilton’s hospitality excellence with the rich cultural landscape of Al-Ahsa. He noted, “This partnership aims to harness the underexploited cultural and natural beauty of Al-Ahsa, offering unique experiences that are rare in today’s tourism landscape. Our goal is to create a pioneering heritage-inspired fusion of agricultural, eco, and adventure resorts that are nestled in nature, setting a remarkable precedent in Saudi Arabia’s hospitality industry.”
Chris Nassetta, President and CEO of Hilton, also commented on the expansion, “The signing of these three hotels further expands our footprint in Saudi Arabia, where we plan to quadruple our portfolio. Al-Ahsa is a key region under the National Tourism Strategy of Saudi Arabia, and we are pleased to bring Hilton’s renowned hospitality brands to this unique new tourism development in the country.”
Sustainability and community engagement
In addition to providing diverse travel experiences, the resorts will focus on sustainability and community engagement. They will offer venues like nature gardens, an amphitheater, and a farmer’s market where local vendors can showcase their products, thus promoting local agriculture and crafts.
The resorts’ location also ensures easy accessibility, being within a few hours’ drive from major cities and countries in the Gulf region, thus promising to enhance Al-Ahsa’s visibility as a prime destination for both regional and international tourists.
This project not only aims to enrich the hospitality offerings in Saudi Arabia but also to integrate the local communities into the tourism value chain, creating jobs and supporting local economies.
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