Taif – Al-Shafa Center in Taif is a renowned tourist hub, known for its captivating landscapes and diverse terrain among mountains and highlands. The area features natural springs, flowing streams, and mountain peaks embraced by clouds, along with its alluring rainy weather that attracts visitors year-round. This makes Al-Shafa a significant competitor in drawing tourists to the Kingdom’s fertile mountainous regions, symbolizing a prominent icon that beckons travelers in the tourism sector.
The tourism sector in Al-Shafa is a vital contributor to the economic development of Taif, witnessing numerous tourist projects such as hotels, resorts, and integrated residential complexes that align with global environmental and rural development standards. These projects offer tourists and visitors a natural opportunity to explore the heritage of the local community, showcasing the area’s rich cultural expressions and the locals’ use of natural elements that highlight their inherited identity.
Situated along the towering Sarawat mountain range, Al-Shafa’s land is influenced by its natural charm and the hospitality of its residents, known for their warmth, generosity, and welcoming nature. Over the past decade, Al-Shafa has experienced significant economic and tourism development, fostering self-sufficiency among its inhabitants whose skills harmonize with nature in agriculture, fruit harvesting, sheep rearing, and honey production from the region’s fertile flowers.
The production of Taif rose oil from their extensive farms also stands out, contributing to the natural product line crafted by Al-Shafa’s residents, making their land a rich economic source of natural resources and wildlife. These elements blend with traditional customs preserved by the locals, passed down from their ancestors, continuing the legacy through generations. Al-Shafa has thus become a vital retreat for tourists and visitors to Taif.
Nasim Al-Rubaie, a tourism enthusiast, told the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) that Al-Shafa Center stands out due to its authenticity, which is the core of its appeal. The development of products from their land serves as a documented message showcasing their local culture to visitors, particularly from the Gulf countries and around the world. The marketing of their products in an attractive manner further enhances this appeal. Al-Rubaie also noted that the new generation has provided visitors with a book titled “Culture of the Community Linked to Cultural and Recreational Tourism,” encouraging international participation in Al-Shafa’s economy. The community has enriched tourism strategies for sustainable living, driven by a smart new generation eager to express their culture and traditions on a global platform.
