TDF Launches 3 New Programs to Boost Tourism Entrepreneurs, Startups
These programs reflect TDF's strategic commitment to fostering a vibrant, sustainable tourism ecosystem by staying closely aligned with entrepreneurs and investors across the Kingdom.
'We continue to support entrepreneurs in transforming their ideas into tangible, high-impact projects,' said Qusai bin Abdullah Al-Fakhri, TDF CEO. 'Our goal is to provide an end-to-end support system to help businesses overcome challenges and accelerate their growth. These programs are grounded in hands-on enablement, mentorship, and strong connections with key stakeholders, all aligned with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030.'
Grow Tourism Incubator
Launching for the first time, the Grow Tourism Incubator targets early-stage startups. The 10-month program offers shared workspaces, legal, marketing, logistical, technical, and administrative support. Participants benefit from expert-led workshops, training sessions, and mentorship—delivered both virtually and on-site at TDF headquarters. Registration opened on June 24 and runs until July 17. Tourism Hackathons & Bootcamps
This five-month program supports individuals with early-stage tourism ideas. Focusing on Asir, Al-Ahsa, and Madinah, it begins with regional hackathons and concludes with intensive bootcamps. Participants will develop ideas into prototypes in an interactive environment offering training, technical support, and direct access to investors and enablers. Registration opened on July 1 and closes on July 22.
Grow Tourism Accelerator
Returning after the success of previous rounds—which graduated 99 participants—the three-month Accelerator supports startups aiming to scale in the tourism sector. The program offers intensive mentorship and facilitates connections with investors. It also welcomes international companies, contributing to service quality and investment diversity in the Kingdom's tourism industry.
So far, TDF Grow has supported over 8,800 beneficiaries through various non-financial initiatives, helping entrepreneurs, startups, and SMEs bring their projects to life. These efforts continue to boost the sector's competitiveness while expanding its long-term economic and social impact throughout Saudi Arabia.
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Saudi Gazette
17 hours ago
- Saudi Gazette
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Central to this 2030 vision is AlUla, a region the size of Belgium with archaeological riches. The Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) has been tasked with leading this process. Its remit is vast, combining archaeological conservation with job creation, infrastructure development, education and community empowerment. The target is to attract two million visitors annually by 2035 and creating 38,000 new jobs, all while preserving AlUla's historical integrity and ecological balance. At the heart of AlUla lies Hegra, Saudi Arabia's first UNESCO World Heritage Site. Carved by the Nabataeans in the first century CE. Its monumental tombs lie largely undisturbed, offering an archaeological time capsule of ancient Arabia. French archaeologists, Saudi researchers, and international heritage experts have joined forces to map and protect over 200,000 years of human history in the region. Indeed, culture is the fulcrum on which AlUla's future pivots. 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Each event serves a dual purpose: to elevate the region's profile and to support cross-cultural exchange. The role of women in AlUla's transformation is emblematic of broader social changes in the Kingdom. From artisan cooperatives to executive roles in the RCU, women are increasingly visible in all sectors. Government scholarships and training programmes have accelerated this shift, as have changes in public perception. While conducting interviews in AlUla a young craftswoman from AlUla shared how she now runs a workshop that employs women. "Before this, I never thought our traditions could become a successful profession," she says. "Now, I feel we are part of something bigger". One of the most prominent themes emerging from interviews with AlUla's residents is the pride they take in promoting their role 'We used to come back only for special occasions,' explained one cultural entrepreneur whose family recently moved back to their ancestral home. 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- Al Arabiya
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Leaders
2 days ago
- Leaders
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