Prince Sultan bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, President of Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities, has announced that the World Heritage Committee of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has added the Turaif Quarter in historic Dir’iya to its official list of World Heritage sites. The Committee concluded its 34th session in Brasilia, Brazil last week after adding 21 new sites to the list.

The Turaif Quarter is the second Saudi location to be placed on the World Heritage List, following the addition of Mada’in Saleh in 2008. An application to add historic Jeddah to the list will be considered at the next session of the World Heritage Committee. There are now 911 cultural and nature World Heritage sites in 151 countries. The designation is highly sought after and seen as a draw for tourism.