The Najdi Heritage Trail: Reviving Saudi Arabia’s Cultural Legacy Through Heritage Tourism

Saudi Vision 2030 is investing in preserving and enhancing its historical sites to foster sustainable tourism. This research proposes the Najdi Heritage Trail as a strategic initiative to revive historical narratives and activate heritage sites of four significant Najdi settlements: Diriyah, Al Uyaynah, Al Jubaylah, and Al Amariyah. Using a qualitative multi-method approach that combines archival research, field surveys, and interviews with residents, municipal authorities, and heritage experts, the study evaluates each site through the six core values of the King Salman Charter for Architecture and Urbanism: Authenticity, Continuity, Human-Centricity, Livability, Innovation, and Sustainability. Community insights informed key recommendations for participatory and inclusive heritage experiences. Findings reveal uneven conservation efforts but highlight opportunities for storytelling, architectural protection, and low-impact tourism, while underscoring the importance of active community involvement. The study suggests that future studies integrate ecological sustainability, digital heritage tools, and expanded regional coverage to improve cultural sustainability across the Kingdom.