Built Around the Kingdom's Highest Terrain
Soudah Peaks is a tourism development planned around Jabal Sawda and the surrounding highlands near Abha in the Asir region, an area that includes some of the highest elevations in Saudi Arabia.
Because of the altitude, the region has a notably cooler climate than most of the country, which developers have positioned as a natural draw for a highland retreat aimed at both domestic and international visitors.
A Different Kind of Saudi Destination
Unlike the coastal giga-projects of NEOM or the Red Sea, Soudah Peaks is built around mountain scenery, hiking, and a temperate climate, giving Vision 2030's tourism portfolio a highland option alongside desert and coastal destinations.
The Asir region is also home to distinct traditional architecture and terraced agriculture, and planning documents describe efforts to blend new development with the area's existing cultural landscape.
Part of Saudi Arabia's Tourism Diversification
Soudah Peaks is overseen by the Public Investment Fund as part of the broader giga-project portfolio meant to build tourism into a major non-oil economic sector under Vision 2030.
By developing a mountain destination alongside desert and Red Sea coast projects, the plan aims to offer a wider range of climates and landscapes within a single country to attract varied types of travelers.
Sources
- Soudah Peaks β the project's official site
- Public Investment Fund β PIF's overview of its giga-project investments
- Visit Saudi β the Kingdom's official tourism portal
FAQ
Where is Soudah Peaks located?
It is located around Jabal Sawda and the surrounding highlands near Abha in Saudi Arabia's Asir region, close to some of the country's highest elevations.
Why is a mountain destination significant for Saudi tourism?
It gives Vision 2030's tourism strategy a cooler, highland option distinct from the desert and coastal giga-projects like NEOM and the Red Sea Project.
Who is behind Soudah Peaks?
It is developed under Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund as part of its portfolio of tourism giga-projects.
About the Author
We reference Soudah Peaks, the Public Investment Fund, Visit Saudi to explain the background and current understanding of this topic.
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