The UK has committed to sharing its world-leading expertise in culture, heritage, and tourism with Saudi Arabia, marking a significant step in supporting the Kingdom’s ambitious goal to become a global visitor destination. This move comes during Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s visit to the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, where he aims to strengthen relations with both nations, foster investment, enhance defence and security ties, and create new opportunities for growth both at home and abroad.
One of the key initiatives announced is a partnership between Historic England and the Saudi Heritage Commission, designed to enhance cultural heritage and conservation efforts in Saudi Arabia. This collaboration will see British heritage experts working closely with their Saudi counterparts to share knowledge and skills, ensuring the preservation of cultural landmarks throughout the Kingdom. The deal underscores the UK’s deepening cultural relationship with Saudi Arabia, showcasing the UK’s expertise in heritage conservation.
Historic england’s role in preserving saudi heritage
As part of the new agreement, Historic England will provide guidance on conservation best practices, training Saudi specialists in the restoration and rehabilitation of heritage buildings and monuments. In addition to this, the programme will help develop a strategy to safeguard Saudi Arabia’s industrial heritage, ensuring the long-term preservation of its historical assets. This partnership represents a profound exchange of cultural knowledge that aligns with Saudi Arabia’s vision for preserving its rich history while modernising and expanding its cultural offerings.
The UK’s involvement comes as Saudi Arabia accelerates efforts to enhance its tourism sector, with a focus on preserving its remarkable cultural heritage while boosting economic growth. Historic England’s contributions will be instrumental in advancing the Kingdom’s conservation capabilities, ensuring that Saudi Arabia’s iconic landmarks are maintained for future generations while enhancing the country’s global appeal.
AlUla’s development as a tourist hub
A second partnership, also forged during Prime Minister Starmer’s visit, focuses on AlUla, a city located in Medina province, renowned for its striking cultural and historical significance. AlUla is home to the Hegra archaeological site, Saudi Arabia’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site, and features impressive sandstone cliffs, ancient rock carvings, and a tenth-century fort. As part of this agreement, the UK will work with the Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) to develop the city as a global tourist destination.
The partnership, which will last five years, aims to increase the number of visitors to AlUla, targeting two million tourists annually by 2035. The collaboration will see UK experts provide knowledge in tourism, hospitality, heritage preservation, and the creative industries, including music, theatre, cinema, and fashion. The UK’s involvement in AlUla’s development will not only support Saudi Arabia’s cultural heritage goals but also create new business opportunities for British organisations, particularly in the tourism and cultural sectors.
Boosting local skills and economy
A significant focus of the partnership will be on upskilling AlUla’s local workforce. The UK will provide training programmes, workshops, and seminars designed to equip local people with the necessary skills to support the city’s growth. This focus on developing local expertise will ensure that the residents of AlUla can actively contribute to the city’s transformation into a major cultural and tourism hub. By building a skilled local workforce, the programme will provide long-term economic benefits and ensure the sustainability of AlUla’s burgeoning tourism sector.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer commented on the importance of the partnerships, saying: “I’m pleased the UK is forging new partnerships with Saudi Arabia to protect the cultural heritage of AlUla by harnessing British expertise. Through deeper economic ties with key partners such as Saudi Arabia, we can unlock growth and new opportunities both at home and abroad.”
More Read
The broader cultural and economic impact
The UK’s involvement in these projects underscores the global influence of British culture and expertise. Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy highlighted the UK’s leadership in cultural heritage and conservation, noting that the collaboration would not only safeguard some of the Middle East’s most significant cultural landmarks but also benefit both countries through increased international cooperation.
Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds also expressed enthusiasm about the opportunities this partnership presents, stating: “This collaboration will strengthen our partnership with Saudi Arabia and provide British service providers with an opportunity to showcase their expertise in an exciting and dynamic economy.”
As these partnerships progress, they will continue to deepen UK-Saudi ties, enhancing both nations’ cultural landscapes while offering economic benefits. This initiative marks a significant step in the UK’s ongoing commitment to sharing its cultural and creative expertise globally, helping to preserve and promote heritage, while driving innovation and growth in Saudi Arabia’s tourism sector.
