Towards planning guidelines for tourism development Al-Baha Region

Abstract EN

The Saudi Arabian National Development Plans have re- garded the development of domestic tourism as of great importance, ex- pecting many economic and social benefits to accrue from it; and Al-Baha region is one of those generally considered to have great tourism potentials.

Although tourism in Al-Baha region is already being developed to some extent within both the public and private sectors, careful planning is now needed, and this paper set out some basic guidelines in this respect.

It con- sidered the attractions of the region that could be promoted for tourism and, in the light of these, pinpoints the nature and the locations of the ser- vices that need to be provided.

A demand-analysis approach has been adopted as the best way to guide planners towards achieving their objectives of attracting more domestic tourists to the region, encouraging them to stay longer and getting them to return.