At the edge of the Al-Dahna Desert, where the stretch of sand is marred only by the distant horizon, a green oasis covered with towering palm trees appears, stretching its branches toward the sky in a mesmerizing defiance of the heat of the sand and the scorching sun. This is Al-Ahsa Oasis, one of nature's greatest wonders and the largest palm oasis in the world, located in the eastern region of Saudi Arabia.

Al-Dahna Desert (saudipedia)

Here, the power of nature meets the determination of man, creating this oasis of nearly three million palm trees and transforming it into a center of agriculture and agricultural production. Al-Ahsa is not only a paradise for palm trees, but also a symbol of the deep connection between man and the land and a charming tourist destination that offers a glimpse into life in the desert.
An endless longing!

Deeply rooted in Saudi heritage, The Al-Ahsa Oasis spans the land between Riyadh in the west and Dammam in the east, where palm farms produce more than 200,000 tons of the finest dates annually, including 127 unique varieties. In Al-Ahsa, more than a million people continue the agricultural and trading traditions of their ancestors, maintaining a cultural identity closely tied to the land and its long history.

A Saudi gem!
The Al-Ahsa Oasis stands as one of the most beautiful tourist gems in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and a unique site on UNESCO's World Heritage List, offering an unparalleled cultural and natural heritage. It welcomes visitors with its tall palm trees,  a tribute to the people who endured drought and transformed the desert into a thriving, green landscape. Al-Ahsa is home to ancient landmarks, fresh springs flowing through traditional irrigation channels, heritage treasures, and gardens bursting with flowers and colors. It is also home to Lake Al-Asfar, whose calm waters sit quietly in the heart of the desert, alongside historic forts and ancient mosques. Al-Ahsa has gained international recognition by entering the Guinness Book of Records as the largest palm oasis in the world.

Al-Ahsa Dates Festival!
Every January, Al-Ahsa attracts thousands of visitors who flock to attend the two-week Al-Ahsa Dates Festival, one of the leading agricultural and cultural events in the Kingdom.  A variety of Al-Ahsa dates are on display, differing in size, taste, and color. The most popular types of dates sold at this festival are “Al-Sukari” and “Al-Khalas.” The festival also features artistic and cultural performances such as Saudi folk dances, theatrical performances, and traditional poetry evenings. During the festival, traditional Saudi dishes that use dates as a key ingredient are served, including “ma'soob” and Al-Ahsa sweets. Traditional drinks such as date syrup are also available.

A wellness resort under the shade of palm trees!
Insana, a leading resort and wellness hotel management group in Europe, has signed a strategic partnership with Saudi Arabia's Diyafa and the Municipality of Al-Ahsa to develop a large 224-room wellness resort in Ain Najm, located in the historic city of Al-Hofuf in the Eastern Province. Ain Najm is not only a natural spring but also a site of historical value, long known for its natural beauty and the  therapeutic properties attributed to its waters.

The spring is famous for its sulfuric waters, which are still used today as a tourist attraction and for the treatment of rheumatic and skin diseases, among others.

This milestone, which came to fruition last May, underscores Al-Ahsa's standing as a leading destination for medical tourism and wellness in the Kingdom. Operating under the Insana brand, the project represents a fusion of global expertise in wellness and local excellence in hospitality. Insana brings its legacy of integrated wellness treatments, leading medical therapies, and international marketing reach. Meanwhile, Diafa Hotel Services contributes its deep operational capabilities, culturally relevant guest experience, and extensive presence in the Saudi market.

This initiative embodies the Kingdom's Vision 2030, which aims to diversify the economy, enhance the Kingdom's global tourism offering, and promote sustainable development in secondary cities, supported by the Ministry of Tourism and Al-Ahsa Municipality. The resort aims to offer luxury experiences based on both advanced wellness programs and local heritage.
Engineer Essam Al-Mulla, Secretary of Al-Ahsa Municipality, noted with satisfaction that Al-Ahsa Municipality is leading this transformative project that combines international excellence with local ambition, by enabling partnerships with global operators such as Insana and Diyafa. He added: “We are delighted to be creating new economic opportunities to put Al-Ahsa on the global tourism map.”

Frank Halmos, CEO of Insana Group, also signalled his enthusiasm for expanding into the Middle East and is delighted that Ain Najm offers a unique combination of evidence-based wellness treatments and the natural beauty of Al-Ahsa. “With this new project, we will have created a destination for those seeking holistic healing and recovery in an authentic environment,” he added. 

Hamad Al Hamad, founder and CEO of Diafa in Saudi Arabia, welcomed the project, saying that the resort is not only a celebration of Al-Ahsa's rich heritage, but also a step forward in achieving the ambitions of Vision 2030 to redefine Saudi hospitality through innovation and international cooperation.