Economic / Rural Tourism in Taif: Investments Blossom in the Mountains

Taif, Muharram 29, 1448 AH, corresponding to July 14, 2026, SPA — Rural tourism in Taif Governorate has become one of the most promising investment paths, benefiting from the natural features of the governorate and the expansion in the establishment of resorts, rural lodges, and tourist farms, which have contributed to diversifying the tourism product, creating new economic opportunities, and enhancing sustainable development in mountainous areas. Tourist investments are spread across the heights of Al-Shafa and Al-Hada, valleys, and farms, capitalizing on the moderate climate, vegetation cover, and mountain views to provide accommodation experiences that combine nature, privacy, and local identity, amid increasing demand for rural tourism as one of the fastest-growing tourism patterns. The head of the Taif Chamber, Ghazi Al-Qathami, explained in his interview with SPA that rural tourism in Taif has turned in recent years into a promising economic sector, following the growing demand by visitors for resorts and lodges that rely on the natural environment, with some rural and tourist sites recording occupancy rates of up to 90% during the summer season, especially in the Al-Shafa and Al-Hada areas, indicating that these investments are no longer limited to providing accommodation, but now offer integrated experiences including farms, open seating areas, rural restaurants, and agricultural and recreational activities. Al-Qathami pointed out that there are several factors that distinguish rural tourism in Taif, such as Taif rose, grape, pomegranate, and fig farms, the experience of harvesting and traditional farming, along with horse riding and hiking in nature, noting that marketing local products and handicrafts of productive families in rural resorts has also contributed to stimulating economic activity in the governorate by providing job opportunities for youth, supporting productive families, marketing local agricultural products, as well as handicrafts, which enhanced the added value of the local economy. Al-Qathami added that the success of these projects encouraged new investors to enter the sector, benefiting from the investment environment provided by the Kingdom and the development of infrastructure and tourism services in Taif, which has contributed to increasing the number of rural lodges and resorts and raising the quality of services provided to visitors, expecting Taif to become one of the most important rural and mountain tourism destinations in the Kingdom in the coming years. Al-Qathami affirmed that rural tourism has become a model for sustainable investment due to its connection to preserving the environment and the urban identity of the place, and relying on natural resources without harming them, in line with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030 to diversify the economy, increase the contribution of the tourism sector to the GDP, and empower local communities. // End // 14:56 PM T-M-0104