The study aims to identify the nature of desert tourism and to examine its spatial dimensions and the economic and social characteristics of its participants, as well as how to develop this unique form of tourism in desert communities in general and in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in particular. A comparison between the Dammam and Al-Ahsa regions highlights many spatial dimensions and challenges for this unique form of tourism, given the inclusion of the Al-Ahsa Oasis in the World Heritage List and in light of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030.

Despite the presence of the natural environment surrounding this type of tourism, it does not hold a prominent place on the map of Saudi Arabia’s tourism potential, in addition to a lack of adequate awareness of the importance of this type of tourism within the Kingdom’s tourism market. The Kingdom’s tourism offerings are in urgent need of greater publicity regarding desert tourism to promote Saudi tourism products and establish their global standing.

The study addressed three main topics: the first on the natural and human attractions of wilderness tourism; the second on the field analysis of the sample; and the third on the economic characteristics and challenges faced by tourists.

Among the study’s findings was the diversity of objectives among visitors to desert areas; the majority of cases were for the purpose of enjoying the natural surroundings, followed by escaping the hustle and bustle of the city. Additionally, the majority of age groups were young adults, accounting for more than half of the sample cases. Among the most significant environmental impacts of desert tourism are various forms of environmental pollution, as well as the risk of some tourists getting lost in the desert and other hazards.

The study’s key recommendations included making Desert tourism a priority among the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s tourism sectors and incorporating it into the Saudi Tourism Authority, as well as working to strengthen environmental oversight by the Ministry of Environment and ensuring the sustainability of tourism resources.