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JEDDAH: Despite being deaf and mute, Ibrahim Al-Balawi, a 48-year-old Saudi tour guide who is passionate about AlUla’s rich history and breathtaking sights, has become a pioneer in inclusive tourism.

His journey, rooted in self-learning and dedication, began long before AlUla emerged as a global tourism destination.

Al-Balawi’s tour guide timeline started even before tourism was officially established in AlUla in 2001.

His deep love of history drove him to frequent the locations, study their significance, and independently translate material to educate himself and others.

With an extensive knowledge of archaeological sites, he led visitors through AlUla’s ancient locations, sharing stories and insights he had gathered over the years.

Hind Shabaa, Al-Balawi’s wife, who is also from AlUla, has been a steadfast supporter. Married for 16 years, she learned sign language from her husband.

Over time Shabaa became fluent in sign language and she formed friendships within the deaf community. She plays a crucial role today in her husband’s work by verbally translating sign language to hearing tourists, enhancing the tour experience for all visitors.

Shabaa told Arab News: “He supported me in learning the language, and I built friendships with deaf individuals.

“Because he had a wide network of friendships — having studied middle and high school in Jeddah — he had formed many connections inside and outside the Kingdom.

“When he brought his friends over, they would be accompanied by their wives, so I also picked up the language. I became so proficient that they were amazed at how well I could communicate verbally and in sign language.”

Silent but fun, sign language became an essential part of the family’s daily life, creating a deeper bond and shaping a unique communication.

Shabaa added: “Even our children learned sign language from their father. They became very skilled at it. I was so dedicated that I took additional courses to improve myself. At one point I became even better than some certified sign language trainers.”

Before the Saudi Tourism Commission was transformed into the Ministry of Tourism in 2020, Al-Balawi’s main mission was to showcase AlUla’s beauty to the world through his eyes and language. He welcomed visitors from the deaf community from across the Kingdom and beyond, including Germany, France, Canada, and China.

Officials noticed him attracting tourists, most of whom were foreign visitors leveraging his proficiency in general sign language.

Al-Balawi slowly became a familiar face among tourism officials. As the industry grew more structured, he sought official permission to continue guiding, ensuring that foreign tourists could still benefit from his expertise.

Al-Balawi’s official career as a tour guide in AlUla began in 2017. He attended numerous educational courses once he officially joined the Ministry of Tourism, and training materials were provided.

Despite holding only a high-school diploma, Al-Balawi’s relentless pursuit of knowledge set him apart. He enrolled in history and tourism courses, attended specialized training, and memorized educational materials.

Recognizing the global diversity of sign languages, Al-Balawi taught himself multiple variations beyond Arabic sign language, enabling him to communicate with tourists from Western countries. His self-motivation allowed him to bridge cultural and linguistic gaps, ensuring that all visitors, especially those from the deaf community, could fully experience AlUla’s wonders.

Shabaa said: “I remember that from the time we got married he had books on Western sign languages and would always read and learn from them. Additionally, he traveled several times to the US and built friendships there, communicating through apps and video calls until he became proficient.

“He has expertise in both colloquial and formal Arabic sign language, as well as international sign languages, including American, Chinese, and Korean, which differ from the Saudi system. He taught himself these through travel, books, and personal research.”

Shabaa added: “For those who could speak, he was able to communicate with them effortlessly. He could read lips, record videos, send them messages, and speak to them in a casual dialect that made sign language easier for them. Learning sign language is often challenging for those around them, so when needed he would write things down to ensure clear communication.”

The couple’s commitment extends beyond guiding as they make sure they understand the unique needs of deaf travelers.

Shabaa said: “My husband established a private guesthouse specifically designed for the deaf, ensuring that visitors feel welcome, comfortable, and can fully enjoy AlUla’s offerings.”

Al-Balawi has conducted more than 800 tours in the past two years, welcoming tourists from nearly every region in Saudi Arabia and countries across the world, including the UK, the US, Syria, Germany, Egypt, Turkiye, Russia, and the UAE.

Al-Balawi is also having to cope with social media and has an Instagram page with over 4,500 followers from around the world. He displays photos and videos of his trips so he can attract more visitors.

Shabaa said: “He invites travelers through social media, guides them, documenting their visits with photos and videos. Many have been impressed by his effort and dedication.”

His ability to connect with people, whether through sign language, written communication, or sheer enthusiasm, has left a mark on those who have explored AlUla with his guidance.

Shabaa added: “The response of tourists has been amazing after every tour. They are always happy, and some even return for a second visit because they enjoyed their experience so much. AlUla fascinated them, and they love the tourism experience here.”