Saudi Arabia and Italy strengthen cultural collaboration through new partnership
The Royal
Commission for AlUla (RCU) and the Archaeological Park of Pompeii
(PAP) are strengthening their collaboration under the Saudi–Italian Cultural
Cooperation Framework, advancing joint efforts in conservation, visitor
experience and sustainable cultural tourism.
Two of the world’s leading open-air heritage
destinations, AlUla in north-west Saudi Arabia and Pompeii in southern Italy,
are formalizing a deeper partnership that aims to influence how cultural travel
is designed and delivered in the years ahead.
A high-level Pompeii delegation led by Director
Dr. Gabriel Zuchtriegel visited AlUla recently, marking an expansion of ties
between the two UNESCO World Heritage sites. The programme focused on sharing
expertise in conservation, interpretation, site management and visitor
engagement.
A collaboration between two UNESCO World
Heritage sites
Often described as a “living museum of human
civilisation”, AlUla
showcases more than 200,000 years of human history across a single landscape.
Its flagship site, Hegra—the
first place in Saudi Arabia inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List—is home
to monumental Nabataean tombs dating back over two millennia. Nearby lie the
ancient kingdoms of Dadan, the inscriptions of Jabal Ikmah and AlUla Old Town.
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Over several days, experts from both
destinations exchanged insights on how heritage sites can evolve to meet the
expectations of today’s travellers while protecting historical authenticity.
Workshops and field visits explored conservation techniques, visitor flow strategies,
digital storytelling and sustainable tourism models—core priorities for
destinations seeking to balance preservation with growing visitor demand.
Phillip
Jones, RCU’s Chief Tourism Officer, emphasised the importance of
visitor experience:
“Travellers today don’t just want to see history—they want to feel part of it.
Through collaborations like this, we ensure that when people walk through Hegra
or Pompeii, they connect with the stories, craftsmanship and cultures that
shaped our world.”
The visit also underscored the contrasting yet
complementary identities of the two sites: Pompeii as a city “frozen in time”
and AlUla as a landscape defined by continuity, resilience and living culture.
New approaches to conservation and
interpretation
The partnership brings together distinct
archaeological traditions—Pompeii’s urban archaeology and AlUla’s landscape
archaeology.
“By combining these perspectives, we are
developing new methods of conservation and site interpretation that will
elevate the visitor experience for years to come,” said Dr. Abdulrahman
Alsuhaibani, RCU’s Vice President of Cultural.
Future projects are expected to introduce
layered storytelling, improved wayfinding and enhanced interpretive tools,
potentially incorporating digital, immersive or interactive formats.
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Dr. Zuchtriegel noted that the collaboration
extends well beyond technical work:
“Pompeii and AlUla share a belief that heritage can be a bridge between
cultures. We are united by a mission to protect history and invite visitors to
engage with it responsibly and with wonder.”
Expanding Saudi–Italian cultural cooperation
The RCU–Italy partnership spans archaeology,
design, craftsmanship and education. Upcoming initiatives include the Pompeii
G.R.E.E.N. Conference on sustainable heritage management and joint exhibitions
exploring cultural exchange between Saudi Arabia and Italy.
Silvia Barbone, RCU’s Vice President of
Strategic Partnerships, described the visit as an early milestone:
“This visit marks the first milestone since our partnership was signed in the
presence of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. Together we aim to integrate
culture, landscape and agriculture to ensure that heritage remains a living
resource—one that continues to educate, inspire and sustain communities for generations.”
Implications for future cultural travel
For travellers, the partnership promises
richer storytelling, more immersive experiences and enhanced conservation
quality at both sites—whether walking Pompeii’s ancient streets or exploring
Hegra under the desert sky.
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For tour operators, DMCs and cultural travel
specialists, the collaboration opens opportunities for new multi-destination
itineraries linking Mediterranean and Arabian heritage, alongside emerging
models for sustainable heritage management and visitor engagement.
Source: https://www.traveldailynews.com/
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