BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 28. The heritage sites of AlUla in northwestern Saudi Arabia and Pompeii in southern Italy have come together in a groundbreaking cultural partnership, TurkicWorld reports via Arab News.
The collaboration, which blends the rich legacies of the two UNESCO World Heritage Sites, is set to transform the experience of heritage tourism.
Two of the world’s most remarkable open-air heritage destinations in collaboration will redefine how travelers experience the past, offering visitors a deeper, more immersive connection to history.
The Royal Commission for AlUla recently hosted a high-level delegation from the Archaeological Park of Pompeii led by General Director Dr. Gabriel Zuchtriegel as part of the Saudi-Italian Cultural Cooperation Framework.
According to RCU, the visit marked a deepening of cultural ties between the two UNESCO World Heritage Sites and explored how shared expertise can enhance conservation, interpretation, and visitor experience.
Set amid sweeping desert canyons and lush oases, AlUla is a living museum of human civilization. Its signature site, Hegra, was the first place in Saudi Arabia inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List and is home to monumental tombs carved by the Nabataeans more than 2,000 years ago.
Over several days, experts from Pompeii and AlUla exchanged insights on how heritage sites can evolve to meet the expectations of modern travelers while safeguarding authenticity.
Phillip Jones, chief tourism officer at RCU, said the partnership shows how cultural destinations can learn from one another to deliver more meaningful experiences.
“Travelers today are not just looking at history; they want to feel part of it. Through collaborations like this, we are ensuring that when people walk through Hegra or Pompeii, they connect with the stories, craftsmanship, and cultures that shaped our world. It is about preserving the past while inspiring the traveler of tomorrow,” said Jones.
The visit also demonstrated the complementary nature of both destinations. While Pompeii represents a moment frozen in time, AlUla tells a story of resilience and continuity, where heritage, landscape, and living culture remain intertwined.
Dr. Abdulrahman Al-Suhaibani, vice president of culture at RCU, said: “Pompeii’s urban archaeology and AlUla’s landscape archaeology present two very different approaches to uncovering the past. By combining these perspectives, we are building new methods of conservation and site interpretation that can elevate the visitor experience for years to come.”
Zuchtriegel said: “Pompeii and AlUla share a belief that heritage can be a bridge between cultures. We are united by a mission to protect history and to invite visitors to engage with it responsibly, sustainably, and with wonder.”
By combining the expertise and conservation strategies of both sites, the collaboration seeks to not only preserve these iconic locations but also create more engaging experiences for modern travelers.
Future projects include the Pompeii G.R.E.E.N. Conference on Sustainable Heritage Management and joint exhibitions celebrating cultural exchange between Saudi Arabia and Italy.
Silvia Barbone, vice president of strategic partnerships at RCU, said: “This visit marks the first milestone since our partnership with Pompeii was signed in AlUla in the presence of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, symbolizing a new chapter in Saudi-Italian cultural cooperation. Through this collaboration, we will work together on heritage management and enhancing visitor experiences, integrating culture with landscape and agriculture to ensure that heritage remains a living resource, one that continues to educate, inspire, and sustain communities for generations to come.”
For travelers, this collaboration promises more engaging storytelling, advanced conservation techniques, and immersive experiences that bring history vividly to life, whether through walking the sunbaked streets of Pompeii or exploring the ancient tombs of Hegra.
