Empowering Local Communities
As part of its commitment to sustainable development, the TDF has launched a comprehensive Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) program.
This initiative has led to the creation of the TDF CSR Umbrella, which centralises all CSR efforts. By doing so, the Fund aims to showcase its dedication to CSR to both internal and external stakeholders, while actively supporting the well-being and growth of its employees and contributing to the broader community and tourism ecosystem in Saudi Arabia.
The CSR Umbrella is built on four key pillars:
Social
This pillar includes mentorship programs focused on youth and women, health and wellness events, and the celebration of UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through corporate events and social media outreach.
Local Content
Initiatives under this pillar encompass TDF Grow Programs and mass training sessions centred on the UN SDGs, fostering local engagement and development.
Internal Culture
TDF promotes a culture of recognition by rewarding sustainability performance and sharing inspiring stories that highlight employee contributions.
Sustainability
This pillar focuses on environmental initiatives, such as launching recycling campaigns and showcasing the Fund’s achievements in energy, waste, and water reduction.
Empowering Local Communities and Businesses
TDF's commitment to sustainability goes beyond promoting tourism; it focuses on fostering positive change throughout the Kingdom by prioritising environmental responsibility, cultural preservation, and community inclusion.
The Fund implements clear sustainability standards for each project, ensuring that its efforts enhance the quality of life for local residents while respecting their rights and heritage.
By actively seeking community feedback through TDF Grow (For more details, please visit TDF Grow: Nurturing the Next Generation of Businesses, roadshows, and a responsive contact centre, the Fund identifies, mitigates and prevents negative impacts and manage the positive effects of its projects.
One of the Fund’s proudest initiatives is Discover Beyond, aimed at empowering local communities in Saudi Arabia to launch tourism businesses and attract external investment. TDF hosts events that celebrate regional heritage and culture, simplifying the entry into tourism through educational panel discussions and workshops.
This promotes sustainability by encouraging locals to showcase their food, crafts, and talents under the theme. Additionally, the Fund is developing the TDF Boutique Shop to support local crafters and artists, providing them with exposure to grow their businesses.
Alignment
- 8UN SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
- 11UN SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
Saudi Vision 2030
Pillar
Improving the socio-economic prosperity through private sector contribution
Target
Align all CSR initiatives and activities including support for startups with the UN SDG and ensure impact is assessed to identify contributions
Discover Beyond Taif
From September 26 to 28, 2022, the Discover Beyond Taif event brought together key players in Saudi Arabia’s tourism sector to foster investment, collaboration, and growth.
Hosted at the Iridium Hotel for the first two days and followed by immersive field visits on the third, the program combined workshops, networking gatherings, and site tours to bridge the gap between investors, local businesses, and tourism stakeholders. Day one featured workshops with speakers from TDF and strategic partners, alongside one-on-one meetings. Day two gathered the Fund’s delegates, experts, and local investors for discussions on opportunities and challenges in tourism and startups. On the final day, field visits offered hands-on engagement with local enterprises, providing tailored support and exploring potential collaborations.
- Attendees
- 230
- Session
- 06
- Speakers
- 15
- Panel Discussions
- 04
Discover Beyond Aseer
The Discover Beyond Aseer event took place on October 28, 2023, with the mission to empower investors, project owners, and businesses of all sizes while fostering tourism project development in the Asir region.
Over two days, participants engaged in thoughtprovoking panel discussions with key stakeholders and attended on-site visits to distinctive projects, gaining valuable insights through direct interactions with proprietors. With a KPI target of 750+ visitors, the event highlighted the diverse financial and non-financial support services offered by TDF and its partners.
- Attendees
- +750
Discover Beyond Alahsa
Following the success of previous roadshows in Taif and Aseer, the Discover Beyond Al-Ahsa event, held on December 18, 2023, marked another milestone in advancing tourism investment within Saudi Arabia.
Designed to support investors, project owners, and businesses of all sizes, the initiative sought to foster project development across the Al-Ahsa governorate. Over two days, attendees engaged in insightful panel discussions with key stakeholders, participated in workshops led by the TDF, and visited distinctive tourism projects in the region. With a Visitors KPI target of 1,000, the event showcased a diverse range of financial and non-financial support services offered by the Fund and its partners, reinforcing the Kingdom’s vision of empowering investors and accelerating the growth of sustainable tourism ventures.
- Attendees
- +1000
In 2024, the Fund executed marketing campaigns to promote the UNSDG days, effectively engaging its employees and the local community on important issues. These initiatives focused on raising awareness about youth skills development and human rights, encouraging community involvement and action.
Social media campaign highlights included:
UN World Youth Skills Day:
This campaign celebrated the contributions of young individuals and emphasised the importance of equipping them with essential skills for future success.
UN Human Rights Day:
TDF raised awareness about human rights issues and highlighted Saudi Arabia’s commitment to promoting and protecting these rights for all.
Sustainability Commitments:
Through social media, the Fund showcased its dedication to sustainability, emphasising local development initiatives and empowering women in the community.
International Day of Persons with Disabilities:
Distributed educational flyers to highlight the rights and challenges faced by individuals with disabilities, promoting inclusivity and encouraging local support for accessibility initiatives.
International Day for the Eradication of Poverty:
Inspired community members to volunteer and support local initiatives through engaging flyers, fostering a spirit of collaboration and action to combat poverty in the area.