Eastern

Project/Location
John Robinson Planning Design
was commissioned by the Supreme
Commission for Tourism, Kingdom
of Saudi Arabia to prepare an
overall tourism institutional
development and planning
programme for the Eastern
Province. The Province includes
600km of coastline extending from
Kuwait to Abu Dhabi, extensive
areas of desert (the Empty
Quarter), oases, wetlands, islands,
coral reefs and caves. Its cultural
heritage includes historic areas in
the ancient cities of Al Hassa and
Qatif, archaeological sites, forts
and palaces, historic
pilgrimage/trading routes, traditional
arts and crafts,
museums/exhibitions, festivals and
recognition of traditional Islamic
values. In addition there is a good
supply of leisure and recreation
facilities such as parks, theme
parks and corniches, notably in the
Dammam Metropolitan Area and
Jubail.

Project Description
The Plan, reflecting the output of six
weeks intensive preparation,
presents an overall framework for
future development, identifying key
projects for short term
implementation with the overall
objectives being to revitalise the
existing tourism product and
expand Eastern Province tourism
into a solid and sustainable industry
giving due consideration to
socio-economic, administrative,
planning, development and
marketing aspects.

A 10-point strategy was prepared
that included the identification,
prioritisation, planning and
implementation of key projects and
the expansion of the portfolio of
things to see and do.