Riyadh: The Tourism Growth Center (TDF Grow), a program by the Tourism Development Fund (TDF) aimed at supporting entrepreneurs and SMEs in the tourism sector, successfully concluded the 'AlUla Hackathon' today. This event is part of a broader series of tourism hackathons designed to spur innovation within the industry.

According to Saudi Press Agency, the closing ceremony showcased participating teams who presented their innovative projects and solutions to a judging panel. The projects were evaluated across key tracks including tourist accommodation, tour guiding, support services, and tourism experiences. Winners were selected based on criteria such as innovation, feasibility, and the potential impact of their projects.

The AlUla hackathon is a component of a nationwide program taking place across eight cities: Riyadh, Makkah, Taif, Qassim, Hail, AlUla, Jeddah, and Al-Khobar. Launched in 2024, this initiative has drawn more than 800 registrants, with over 530 participants creating more than 125 startup projects, which have resulted in over 50 commercial registrations.

The Tourism Growth Center provides a variety of support programs for entrepreneurs and SMEs, including hackathons, accelerators, incubators, and training camps, in addition to digital services. The center has directly benefited over 14,000 individuals, graduated more than 250 startups, created over 2,000 job opportunities, and facilitated investment rounds exceeding SAR80 million.