The Unfenced Desert Towards a strategy for eco ... - Nwrc.gov.sa
The Unfenced Desert Towards a strategy for eco ... - Nwrc.gov.sa
The Unfenced Desert Towards a strategy for eco ... - Nwrc.gov.sa
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Nearest over-night accommodation : On site, and within ~15 km. Four star<br />
accommodation available at the Al Hada Sheraton (60km) and the Taif<br />
Intercontinental Hotel (65km)<br />
Nearest towns (150 km radius) : Al Sudairah (20km); Taif (45km); Makkah<br />
(120km), and numerous settlements.<br />
Distance to regional centre (Emara) : Taif (45km)<br />
Nearest national sealed road : 0km, road to Sudairah Village; 10km to main<br />
Taif - Al Baha highway.<br />
Regional tourist attractions : Taif and Al Baha (200km) are major summer<br />
tourist destinations, and provide access to Jeddah and to Abha, the most popular<br />
summer resort cities in Saudi Arabia.<br />
Regional tourism developments : Hotels, family parks and picnic areas<br />
camping sites, and resort villages are developing rapidly along the Taif - Abha<br />
highway.<br />
Summary Assessment Notes<br />
Scenic and landscape : Attractive, but not spectacular rock <strong>for</strong>mations and natural<br />
vegetation.<br />
Wildlife : Unrivalled site <strong>for</strong> viewing native Arabian species in<br />
captivity.<br />
Cultural/historical : Rock paintings have only limited public appeal, but could be<br />
developed as part of a circuit tour in the extension.<br />
Existing facilities : Some day, and limited overnight, visits currently possible<br />
and underway, with scope <strong>for</strong> expansion of numbers without major new facilities<br />
being required. A more natural setting <strong>for</strong> wildlife displays would be possible in the<br />
extension, but would require significant development input.<br />
Location and access : Easily reached as a day trip from several major urban<br />
centres.<br />
Sensitivity / security : With regulated or restricted access around certain animals<br />
facilities and enclosures, the NWRC could easily cope with a reasonable volume of<br />
visitors.<br />
Potential activities : Guided tours, by bus, car or on foot, of the NWRC animal<br />
collections, with viewing of promotional and educational videos and talks by staff; a<br />
dedicated visitor centre, lookout points and circuit drives or walks, with picnic areas,<br />
could be established in the NR extension area, with a selection of animals visible<br />
within large natural enclosures.<br />
Rating<br />
1 = highly suitable <strong>for</strong> tourism; 2 = moderately suitable <strong>for</strong> tourism; 3 =<br />
unsuitable <strong>for</strong> tourism at the present time, or with specialised or limited public<br />
appeal or capacity only; 4 = unsuitable <strong>for</strong> tourism in the <strong>for</strong>eseeable future.<br />
Scenery : 2<br />
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