Saudi Arabia agreed with Europe’s largest hotel organization, Accor, expanding and operating a beach hotel on the $20 billion al-Ula tourist allowance in the northwestern region of the kingdom, the Royal Project Commission announced Sunday.
Al-Ula, that of an ancient civilization in a remote corner of the northwest of the country, is part of the plans of the world’s largest crude exporter to diversify its economy away from oil and open it to foreigners and tourists throughout the year.
The agreement will make Accor operate in an extended Ashar complex of the Banyan Tree brand, with 47 new sets that will bring the total capacity of the complex to 82 high-end villas, as well as a spa and several gourmet restaurants, according to a statement from the commission.
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Visitors walk outside the tombs at the Madain Saleh antiquities site, al-Ula, Saudi Arabia February 10, 2019. (Reuters)