Prince Mohammed bin Salman Royal Reserve Development Authority has introduced the Integrated Development Management Plan (IMDP) to enhance ecotourism and to flourish job opportunities.
The IMDP is a comprehensive plan, aligning with global standards, covering all aspects of the 24,500 square kilometer Reserve, which includes 15 distinct ecosystems, from the mountain ridges to the coral reefs in the northwest of Saudi Arabia.
The aim of this plan is to restore and conserve wildlife with advanced technologies to enhance the ecotourism ecosystem. This includes RED Sea Global’s AMAALA tourism development within the Reserve. The Reserve also seeks to emerge as the world’s most popular heritage tourism attraction for environmental conservation while meeting the needs of the local communities.
Through the implementation of IDMP, intensive studies will be conducted to determine the historical and current state of the Reserve’s environment and the steps needed to take for restoring the ecosystems as it was in a hundred years ago. The goal of this Reserve is to become a tourism attraction that offers visitors a diverse terrestrial and marine experience.
This highlights the kingdom’s commitment to sustainability, by reducing carbon emissions to contribute to the goals of Net Zero 2060. The Reserve also centers on the strategic objectives of the Royal Reserves Council, by enhancing tourism as well as flourishing job opportunities, in addition to the reintroduction and conversation of wildlife.
Andrew Zaloumis, CEO of the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Royal Reserve Development Authority, commented that, “The building blocks are in place to deliver the promise of the IDMP by 2030 – a Reserve of global conservation significance rooted in community. We have reintroduced animal species, discovered several species new to science, and trained and deployed an effective ranger team of 150 local men and women who play a pivotal role in our mission.”
The Prince Mohammed bin Salman Royal Reserve Development consists of local and international experts in research and development, improving international and local partnerships, and promoting cooperation framework to facilitate the exchange of knowledge and the application of best environment practices.
Prince Mohammed bin Salman Royal Reserve is one of the eight Royal Reserves established by Royal Decree and overseen by the Royal Reserves Council chaired by His Royal Highness the Crown Prince. In addition to contributing to the wider regional environmental restoration efforts by 2025, the Reserve will enrich the experience for ecotourism and create around 5,400 job opportunities.
