The Jeddah Historic District Program, under the patronage of the Saudi Ministry of Culture, has signed an agreement with Al Balad Development Company, a PIF Company, to operate heritage hotels in the Jeddah Historic District.
The move aims to develop the tourism sector in the area, enhance the level of services provided to tourists and visitors, and offer exceptional experiences to visitors of the Jeddah Historic District enabling them to learn about the history of Jeddah and experience Saudi culture.
The Jeddah Historic District Program oversees the regeneration of Al Balad, which includes over 600 historic buildings and is restoring the heritage hotels while preserving the unique architectural features according to the highest international standards aligned with the guidelines of UNESCO, which classified Jeddah Historic District in 2014 as a World Heritage Site.
On this occasion, the Director General of Jeddah Historic District Program, Abdulaziz bin Ibrahim Al-Issa, said that, “As part of our efforts to provide an exceptional experience for our visitors in a destination that has been and will always be on the map of hospitality inherent in its people, we are pleased today to complete the restoration of some heritage buildings to be an ideal hotel accommodation for our guests, in partnership with Al Balad Development Company to manage and operate them, in an integration that represents an important step in our endeavor to revive the area and provide a series of interconnected options for visitors to live an integrated experience.”
For his part, the CEO of Al Balad Development Company, Jamil bin Hassan Ghaznawi, expressed his delight in signing the agreement and the collaboration between the two parties, stating that, “As the main developer for Al Balad, we work in close integration with the Jeddah Historic District Program to achieve a common goal, which is to revive the Jeddah Historic District “Al Balad” and make it an attractive destination for business and investment and a global tourism destination. This signing is just a step on the way to greater cooperation between the two parties.”
After the completion of the restoration and rehabilitation work, the program will hand over the heritage hotels to Al Balad Development Company to operate them through its “Al Balad Hospitality” arm. The hotels include 34 heritage houses that will offer unique and authentic hotel experiences for visitors, combining authenticity, history, and modern amenities in the heart of the Jeddah Historic District.
“The Jeddah Historic District Program’s Destination Management Office will collaborate with Al Balad Hospitality to enrich the visitor experience by offering guests unique local products and traditional Saudi experiences. The hotels will offer guests a warm welcome inspired by the deep-rooted culture of the region, practicing its authentic hospitality traditions and committing to preserving its heritage,” as per the statement.
