Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Royal Reserves

Challenge

How can Saudi Arabia transform newly established protected areas into sustainable tourism assets that preserve biodiversity and provide enriching experiences for both residents and visitors?

Solution

In response to a Royal Decree creating a network of Royal Reserves across Saudi Arabia, Solimar was brought on by A.T. Kearney and the Royal Reserves Council to provide expert advisory services for the development of the Royal Reserves Protected Area System and the Imam Turki Bin Abdullah Royal Reserve. Solimar applied its global experience in national park management and sustainable tourism development to advise on the planning, positioning, concessions, and operational strategy of this ambitious initiative. The goal was to design a scalable protected area model rooted in conservation, cultural heritage, and visitor experience—building a new tourism frontier in one of the world’s most ecologically and culturally unique regions.

Results and Impact

8

Royal Reserves established, covering 13.5% of the Kingdom’s total land area

2.3M

visitors targeted annually across the reserve system by 2030

30+

vulnerable and endangered species targeted for protection and resettlement

Lessons Learned

1.

Natural Reserves Can Power a Tourism Vision – The Royal Reserves initiative highlights how protected areas can anchor a national tourism strategy—especially when linked to cultural heritage, biodiversity, and iconic landscapes.

2.

Local Buy-In is Essential – Solimar emphasized the importance of including local communities in both the planning and future operations of the reserves to ensure long-term stewardship and social benefit.

3.

Benchmarking Informs Breakthroughs – Global comparisons to the U.S. National Park Service and other best-in-class models offered valuable insights for designing governance, service delivery, and visitor experience strategies.

4.

Experiential Design is Key to Positioning – Solimar guided the creation of a value proposition rooted in immersive, authentic experiences—balancing ecological protection with recreational appeal.

5.

Strategy Must Precede Structure – A comprehensive organizational strategy and operational model were essential precursors to business planning, legal registration, and reserve activation.

  • author

    “We rely confidently on Solimar’s deep technical experience and professionalism as tourism consultants. You are always exceeding our expectations.“

    Leila Calnan | Senior Manager

    Tourism Services Cardno Emerging Markets

  • author

    Testimonial #2

    Author | Position

    Organization

    Back to
    Case Studies

    View Our
    Marketing Services

    Get In Touch
    Contact Us