RIYADH: Saudi Arabia is witnessing remarkable growth in tourism events and festivals which, together, attract millions of visitors, help to generate revenue, and create temporary job opportunities for citizens, according to the Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage (SCTH).
Over the course of this summer, the SCTH, in cooperation with tourism development councils and municipal authorities throughout the country, will have staged more than 113 tourism festivals.
Those festivals, the SCTH media department said on Friday, involve “more than 820 activities including cultural, heritage, sports, adventure, environment, entertainment, and shopping events,” adding that those events are expected to attract a total of more than 12.5 million visitors, and to help create more than 91,000 temporary jobs.
A recent SCTH report revealed that — between 2005 to 2016 — 730 festivals were held in the Kingdom, which, in total, attracted more than 85 million visitors, including 28 million tourists.
According to the report, those festivals generated over SR8 billion ($2.133 billion), and helped create more than 86,000 temporary jobs, 70 percent of them for young people.
The hospitality sector has also recorded remarkable growth, according to the report. The total number of hotels in the Kingdom rose from 1,465 in 2014 to 1,582 in 2016. A further 42 hotels are expected to open this year, while 219 hotels are currently under construction.
Since supervision of the accommodation sector shifted to the SCTH in 2009, the number of licensed tourist accommodation facilities has multiplied from 1,402 to 6,527 in 2016, registering a growth rate of just over 365 percent.
As part of its drive to develop the tourism sector and help diversify its economy, the Kingdom this week launched a huge Red Sea tourism project that aims to develop 50 islands and other coastal areas into luxury resorts, set against the backdrop of the ancient ruins at Mada’in Saleh, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Saudi tourism events and festivals help generate jobs, revenue
Saudi tourism events and festivals help generate jobs, revenue
Saudi Arabia, UNEP launch World Environment Day campaigns
- Faqeeha noted that on the occasion of World Environment Day, Saudi Arabia will shed light on the urgent need for global investments in conserving nature, restoring lands, and working toward sustainability
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia and the UN Environment Programme have announced campaigns to combat desertification, restore ecosystems, and strengthen drought resilience ahead of World Environment Day celebrations on June 5 in Riyadh.
The announcement was made at the opening of Saudi Arabia’s Environment Week on Sunday, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Saudi Minister of Environment, Water, and Agriculture Abdulrahman Al-Fadhli inaugurated the annual event that aspires to raise awareness of the importance of environmental protection.
During the event, Deputy Minister for Environment Osama Faqeeha emphasized the shared responsibility in addressing land degradation and combating desertification. This responsibility extends to policymakers, the private sector, and civil society organizations globally, who must work together to restore agricultural areas, rehabilitate land, and tackle desertification and drought, he said.
Faqeeha noted that on the occasion of World Environment Day, Saudi Arabia will shed light on the urgent need for global investments in conserving nature, restoring lands, and working toward sustainability.
This year, we are calling on people — from the grassroots to governments — to help tackle the climate and extinction crisis we face by restoring the ground we depend on for survival.
Elizabeth Mrema, Deputy executive director, UNEP
He highlighted the importance of uniting national and international efforts to safeguard and rehabilitate ecosystems across the globe, aiming to fulfill sustainable development objectives.
“Without action, 95 percent of land on Earth could be degraded within the next 30 years, which could spell disaster for humanity and the planet,” said Elizabeth Mrema, deputy executive director of UNEP, launching the global campaign at a Saudi Environment Week event in Riyadh.
“We have seen how previous campaigns have catalyzed climate action across the globe. This year, we are calling on people — from the grassroots to governments — to help tackle the climate and extinction crisis we face by restoring the ground we depend on for survival,” she added.
Countries worldwide have committed to restoring 1 billion hectares of land, aiming to protect 30 percent of land and sea for nature and restoring 30 percent of the planet’s degraded ecosystems.
Supporting the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, World Environment Day 2024 will boost climate action efforts by gathering support for ecosystem restoration.
At the opening event of the Saudi Environment Week, Al-Fadhli emphasized that achieving the goals of environmental protection and conservation of the Kingdom’s natural resources requires active engagement from governmental and private sectors, as well as individuals.
He stressed the significance of adopting eco-friendly behaviors in daily routines and applying these practices across different sectors to reach sustainable development objectives.
“The continuation of this national event annually in the Kingdom reflects our wise leadership’s dedication to environmental protection and commitment to sustainable development, in line with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030,” Al-Fadhli said.
“Moreover, the Kingdom’s dedication to environmental protection is evident at national, regional, and international levels. This is demonstrated by Saudi Arabia’s active participation in numerous environmental agreements and organizations, as well as its … initiatives like the Middle East Green Initiative and other significant global environmental efforts under the G20 umbrella,” he added.
Saudi Leadership Society Council honors new graduates
- ‘The Saudi Leadership Society was founded with the aim of providing a dynamic and empowering environment in which future leaders’ contributions to key objectives of Saudi Vision 2030 can be enhanced’
RIYADH: The latest graduates of Saudi Arabia’s Leaders 2030 program and the Misk Fellowship program were honored during the first annual meeting of the Saudi Leadership Society Council.
The graduation ceremony for the third and fourth groups to complete the Leaders 2030 program took place during the meeting, along with the announcement that they will join the council.
Guests at the event, hosted by the Misk Foundation, included Prince Saud bin Turki, adviser to the chairman of the board of directors at the King Faisal Center for Research and Islamic Studies, other members of the royal family, ministers, and members of Misk’s board of directors, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Monday.
The aim of the council is to assemble an exceptional community of ambitious future leaders and harness the diversity of its members to foster cooperation, drive growth and make a significant impact on the country and the world, SPA said.
It also seeks to encourage members to develop as leaders who drive positive change, contribute to the progress and leadership of the Kingdom, enhance its global status, and help achieve the goals of the Saudi Vision 2030 national development and diversification plan. The council is also dedicated to creating new opportunities for sustainable growth and other positive effects.
The Saudi Leadership Society was founded with the aim of providing a dynamic and empowering environment in which future leaders’ contributions to key objectives of Saudi Vision 2030 can be enhanced, officials said, thereby playing a crucial role in shaping the development of the influential leaders of tomorrow.
Over 65,000 Pakistani Hajj pilgrims to utilize Makkah Route Initiative this year
- The Makkah Route Initiative allows for the completion of immigration procedures at the pilgrims’ country of departure, making it possible to bypass long immigration and customs checks on reaching Saudi Arabia
ISLAMABAD: Over 65,000 Pakistani pilgrims are set to benefit from Saudi Arabia’s Makkah Route Initiative during this year’s Hajj pilgrimage, Pakistan’s religious affairs secretary said on Monday, compared with the 26,000 pilgrims who used the facility from the Pakistan capital in 2023.
Pakistani officials confirmed last week that Saudi authorities have approved the Makkah Route Initiative’s expansion to the airport in Karachi, the country’s most populous city.
Launched in 2019, the initiative was initially extended only to the airport in Islamabad.
The Makkah Route Initiative allows for the completion of immigration procedures at the pilgrims’ country of departure, making it possible to bypass long immigration and customs checks on reaching Saudi Arabia.
HIGHLIGHT
Pakistan will launch Hajj 2024 operations from May 9 in eight airports across the country till June 9. This year’s pilgrimage is expected to take place from June 14-19.
The facility significantly reduces waiting times, and makes the entry process smoother and faster.
Islamabad had asked Saudi authorities to extend the facility to other airports in the country.
“A total of 65,000 Hajj pilgrims will utilize the Route to Makkah facility at Karachi and Islamabad airports this year,” Syed Atta ur Rehman, Pakistan’s religious affairs secretary, told a media briefing.
Breaking down the numbers, Rehman said 41,000 of the 65,000 pilgrims will make use of the facility under the government’s Hajj scheme, while the remaining 24,000 will rely on private tour operators.
“Specifically, 29,500 pilgrims will use this facility from Islamabad, while 35,500 will do so from Karachi airport,” Rehman said, thanking the Saudi government for expanding the initiative to Karachi.
Saudi Arabia last year restored Pakistan’s pre-pandemic Hajj quota of 179,210 pilgrims and abolished the upper age limit of 65. More than 81,000 Pakistani pilgrims performed Hajj under the government scheme in 2023, while the rest used private tour operators.
Pakistan will launch Hajj 2024 operations from May 9 in eight airports across the country till June 9. This year’s pilgrimage is expected to take place from June 14-19.
The official said a total of 69,000 pilgrims will perform the pilgrimage under the government scheme this year. Of these, 64,000 pilgrims will perform under the general scheme, while over 5,000 will perform the pilgrimage under the sponsorship scheme.
The sponsorship Hajj scheme was introduced by the government last year, allowing overseas Pakistanis to apply for the pilgrimage or sponsor someone in Pakistan for the journey by paying in US dollars. In return, applicants would not have to participate in the balloting process for the pilgrimage.
Rehman said the remaining number of pilgrims will perform Hajj on the private scheme. However, he added their exact number is yet to be determined as bookings for the pilgrimage are still underway.
This year, he said, preparations for the Hajj began earlier as per the Saudi government’s requirements. This helped the government secure favorable accommodation for Pakistani pilgrims in the holy cities of Makkah, Madinah, and Mina, Rehman said.
Despite the surge in inflation globally, Rehman said the Pakistani government has reduced Hajj expenses by Rs100,000 ($358.76) compared with last year.
“Last year, the government charged Rs1,155,000 from the south zone and Rs1,175,000 from the north zone, whereas this year it is Rs1,055,000 and Rs1,075,000, respectively,” he said.
He added the government has reduced the cost of plane tickets from last year, bringing it down to between Rs15,000-35,000.
Under the government Hajj scheme this year, the secretary said pilgrims can opt for a shorter Hajj pilgrimage, but will need to pay an extra fee of up to Rs60,000.
“In addition to the usual 38 to 42-day Hajj duration, we have introduced the option of Hajj for 20 to 25 days,” Rehman said, adding that pilgrims can also choose exclusive options, such as staying in a single room with family members or fewer people by paying an additional amount.
Saudi Arabia highlights cooperative sector’s role at Jordan forum
- Soltan Al-Jurais highlighted initiatives in economic empowerment introduced by Saudi Arabia to support socially vulnerable groups
RIYADH: Soltan Al-Jurais, acting deputy minister of human resources and social development, is leading the Saudi delegation at the 11th Asia-Pacific Cooperative Ministers’ Conference, taking place in the Dead Sea region of Jordan from April 28-30.
He delivered a speech emphasizing the vital role of the cooperative sector in developmental and economic aspects, especially in achieving sustainable development goals, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Al-Jurais highlighted initiatives in economic empowerment introduced by Saudi Arabia to support socially vulnerable groups, including close collaboration with partners from both the public and private sectors to establish cooperatives focused on creating job opportunities and enhancing production for targeted sectors.
He also reviewed recent Saudi initiatives aimed at accelerating the growth of the cooperative sector in the Kingdom.
On the sidelines of the conference, Al-Jurais met with the president of the International Cooperative Alliance, Ariel Guarco.
They reviewed the ministry’s key achievements in the cooperative sector in recent years and discussed topics of mutual interest, emphasizing the importance of enhancing partnership between the ministry and the ICA in various fields.
They also explored global best practices and lessons learned from member countries in the alliance, highlighting the significance of the cooperative sector in Saudi economic and social development.
Jeddah college launches Fashion Technology Hackathon
- The participants are immersed in an environment that encourages creativity, with an emphasis on developing innovative concepts and models
JEDDAH: The Technical Female College in Jeddah launched a three-day Fashion Technology Hackathon on Monday to promote innovation and creativity in the fashion industry, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The event, which is overseen by the general administration for student activities, was attended by Marei Al-Qarni, director general of technical and vocational training in the Makkah region.
Afra Al-Layati, dean of the college, highlighted the hackathon as a pioneering initiative designed to unite trainees, graduates, and students from technical colleges and universities who share a passion for fashion and technology.
The participants are immersed in an environment that encourages creativity, with an emphasis on developing innovative concepts and models.
The Fashion Technology Hackathon aims to inspire competition, foster innovation, and boost scientific skills in line with the country’s progressive vision.
It features three distinct tracks: sustainability, technical solutions, and traditional clothing, and it focuses on Saudi trainees or graduates who specialize in fashion design, manufacturing, computer science, software engineering, and other technology-related fields relevant to the fashion industry.
Alongside the hackathon, there is an immersive exhibition, advisory sessions, workshops and educational visits, the SPA reported.
