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AlUla Manara and AlGharameel Nature Reserves officially named as Saudi Arabia’s and GCC’s first-ever Dark Sky Park in boost to astronomy and astrotourism ambitions

AlUla, Saudi Arabia

AlUla has officially been named as the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s and the GCC’s first-ever International Dark Sky Park in a major boost to the Royal Commission for AlUla’s (RCU) ambitions to develop stargazing, astro-tourism, as well as space science and discovery in northwest Arabia. 

DarkSky International (darksky.org), the global body committed to tackling light pollution in urban and rural areas, awarded the Dark Sky Park accreditation across two locations in AlUla County – AlUla Manara and AlGharameel Nature Reserve.

The preservation of unobstructed views of the night sky is part of RCU’s mandate to conserve and celebrate AlUla’s diverse cultural and natural treasures. AlUla’s vast, untouched, and serene environment makes it the ideal place to observe the skies above, with a multitude of stars visible to the naked eye and even more viewable through telescopes. 

AlUla’s Dark Sky Park status was confirmed after several rounds of intensive reviews, with officials carefully evaluating RCU’s long-term plans and how they impact the natural and cultural landscape of AlUla.   

Dark Sky Parks provide significant scientific, educational, cultural, and natural value to a destination and will greatly uplift AlUla’s growth as a prime location for stargazing tours and research. This aligns with the development of AlUla Manara as a pioneering destination for celestial discoveries and astro-tourism.

The AlUla Manara site will be developed as a focal point for community education, international research, and unique experiences built around astronomy, with RCU overseeing strict lighting and control measures to maintain darkness levels once the sun has set.

AlUla’s remote desert location offers some of the clearest and darkest skies in the world, providing visitors with year-round opportunities to marvel at the wonders of the universe.

The AlGharameel Nature Reserve’s certification as a Dark Sky Park will also support RCU’s goal to convert 80% of AlUla into a protected area, home to a thriving wild population of native animals. With its landscape of rocky hills, wadis, dunes, and ridges – including the spectacular Harrat Viewpoint – AlGharameel will remain untouched and out of bounds from intrusive development.  

Established in 1988, DarkSky International works to protect the night sky through outreach, advocacy, and conservation efforts. Other Dark Sky Places include the Grand Canyon in Arizona and the Joshua Tree National Park in California, The Yorkshire Dales National Park in the UK, and the Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary in Australia.

“AlUla’s DarkSky Park accreditation is a major boost for RCU’s evolving tourism ambitions, particularly the development of a new astro-tourism ecosystem. Preserving and celebrating access to the night sky is an important part of what makes AlUla such a unique destination where visitors can explore the natural, scientific, and cultural world.

AlUla is leveraging its ancient heritage in stargazing to shape a forward-looking vision centered on astronomy and astro-tourism, highlighted by the development of AlUla Manara.

The Arab world has made lasting contributions to astronomy, with many star names like Aldebaran originating from Arabic, reflecting the cultural and scientific legacy of Arab astronomers. These naming conventions remain in use today, underscoring their enduring influence.

Ensuring the principles established by our new colleagues at DarkSky International are in place is a signification step in the evolution of AlUla’s environmental protection and sustainability plans. We are proud to be the first Dark Sky Park in Saudi Arabia, and the wider Gulf region, and look forward to welcoming visitors from around the world to experience the wonder of a star-filled AlUla night sky.”

Naif Almalik, AlUla Manara Executive Program Director

“AlUla Manara and AlGharameel Nature Reserve’s certification as the first International Dark Sky Place in Saudi Arabia and the GCC marks a significant milestone in protecting the region’s nighttime environment. Dark Sky Places play a vital role in preserving wildlife habitats, safeguarding cultural heritage, and promoting responsible astrotourism, which supports and diversifies local economies. We congratulate AlUla Manara and AlGharameel Nature Reserve on this achievement and commend the Royal Commission for AlUla for prioritizing the preservation of their remarkable dark skies.”

Ruskin Hartley, CEO & Executive Director of DarkSky International:

About the Royal Commission for AlUla:

The Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) was established by royal decree in July 2017 to preserve and develop AlUla, a region of outstanding natural and cultural significance in north-west Saudi Arabia. RCU’s long-term plan outlines a responsible, sustainable, and sensitive approach to urban and economic development that preserves the area’s natural and historic heritage while establishing AlUla as a desirable location to live, work, and visit. This encompasses a broad range of initiatives across archaeology, tourism, culture, education, and the arts, reflecting a commitment to meeting the economic diversification, local community empowerment, and heritage preservation priorities of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 programme.

About DarkSky International:

DarkSky’s mission is to preserve and protect the nighttime environment and our heritage of dark skies through environmentally responsible outdoor lighting. Learn more at darksky.org.

About the International Dark Sky Places Program:

Founded in 2001, the International Dark Sky Places Program is a non-regulatory and voluntary program encouraging communities, parks, and protected areas worldwide to preserve and protect dark sites through effective lighting policies, environmentally responsible outdoor lighting, and public education. When used indiscriminately, artificial light can disrupt ecosystems, impact human health, waste money and energy, contribute to climate change, and block our view and connection to the universe. AlUla Manara and AlGharameel Nature Reserve’s now joins more than 220 Places that have demonstrated robust community support for dark sky advocacy and strive to protect the night from light pollution. Learn more by visiting https://darksky.org/what-we-do/international-dark-sky-places/.

Contacts:

Royal Commission for AlUla
[email protected]
https://www.rcu.gov.sa/en/

DarkSky International:
Amber Harrison 
Dark Sky Places Program Manager
+1 (520) 347 6363
[email protected]