RIYADH: Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage (SCTH) launched on Monday the Holo Journey project as the first application in the world integrating three innovative technology solutions for enhancing the tourism experience and national heritage.
The SCTH’s Vice President for Support, Dr. Abdul Aziz bin Mohammed Al-Sheikh, stressed that the achievement has come in line with the vision of SCTH’s President Prince Sultan bin Salman, in adopting and keeping abreast of the latest technologies to serve the tourism and the national heritage sector in the Kingdom.
Saudi Arabia’s vision on the tourism sector is based on its basic values and culture, followed by the economic importance and regional and international weight it enjoys.
Separately, Prince Sultan inspected the ongoing work to develop Rijal Alma village in Asir region recently.
He met the team assigned to implement urgent projects and development to register the village on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
The Saudi leadership aims to make the Kingdom a distinctive tourist destination, Prince Sultan said.
The tourism sector represents a new economic resource that will provide thousands of direct and indirect employment opportunities, he added.
Prince Sultan praised the people of Asir region, particularly those who live in Rijal Alma, for their belief in preserving national heritage.
The village will be transformed into a global tourist attraction, highlighting Asir’s history and heritage, he said.
The village of Rijal Alma had won the Prince Sultan bin Salman Award for Urban Heritage in 2007 and has become a tourist destination for those visiting the region of Asir. This importance comes as a result of the numerous historical, cultural, heritage and natural factors, and the hospitality and culture of its residents.
The SCTH, since its inception, has accorded a great deal of attention to Asir as a major tourist destination, he added.
Initiatives include “tourism projects and activities on the Red Sea, the rehabilitation of heritage sites and villages, the establishment of museums,” and “the stimulation of tourism and hotel investment,” Prince Sultan said.
New Saudi tourism app offers 3 innovative technology solutions
New Saudi tourism app offers 3 innovative technology solutions
Saudi FM receives Salvadoran counterpart in Riyadh
- During the reception, the ministers reviewed relations between the Kingdom and El Salvador and opportunities to enhance cooperation
RIYADH: Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan received his Salvadoran counterpart Alexandra Hill Tinoco in Riyadh on Wednesday.
During the reception, the ministers reviewed relations between the Kingdom and El Salvador and opportunities to enhance cooperation between the two countries in all fields.
Various topics of common interest were also discussed during the meeting.
Saudi center launches pavilion for children during Environment Week
- NCEC’s pavilion, in Riyadh’s Granada Square, carries the slogan Know Your Environment
- It features activities for children promoting environmental preservation and protecting air, water and soil from pollution
RIYADH: The National Center for Environmental Compliance (NCEC) is hosting an interactive pavilion for children to mark Environment Week 2024, which began last Sunday, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The center’s pavilion, in Riyadh’s Granada Square, carries the slogan “Know Your Environment.” It features activities for children promoting environmental preservation and protecting air, water and soil from pollution.
Young visitors are first met with a moving knowledge wall containing several tips placed on hanging cubes, each decorated with a color and information, or a picture.
Children can then move to the memory board to register as honorary members charged with protecting the environment. A part of the pavilion is dedicated to rest and entertainment, including cube puzzles and other games.
The center offers specialized scientific workshops for adults during Environment Week, addressing topics including land degradation.
The Kingdom is set to host COP16 in December this year, enhancing cooperation between the 197 signatory countries of the UN Convention to Combat Desertification, and searching for ways rehabilitate millions of hectares of degraded land.
The center’s presence in Riyadh, Jeddah, Alkhobar and Taif aims to boost community awareness of environmental issues through a range of activities and events.
Saudi anti-narcotics authority arrests Filipino national in Eastern Region
- Authorities call on public to report suspicious activities
RIYADH: Saudi anti-narcotics police arrested a Filipino national for selling hashish and methamphetamine in the Eastern Region, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday.
The General Directorate of Narcotics Control arrested the man and referred him to the Public Prosecution.
Authorities have called on the public to report suspicious or illegal drug-related activities by calling the number 911 in Makkah, Riyadh and Al-Sharqiyah, and 999 in the rest of the Kingdom.
The Drug Control office of the General Directorate of Narcotics Control can be contacted on the number 995 or via the email address [email protected]
Riyadh schools switch to remote learning as stormy weather continues
- City of Unaizah in Qassim province sees record levels of rainfall
RIYADH: Schools in Saudi Arabia’s capital region Riyadh were instructed to switch to remote learning on Wednesday as storms and heavy rains continued to lash the country.
The Ministry of Education said it had taken the decision “based on reports received from the National Center of Meteorology and in the interest of everyone’s safety.”
Lessons would be conducted using the Madrasati and other e-learning platforms, it said.
The rain continued to fall in Riyadh on Wednesday, while the temperature ranged from 17-25 degrees Celsius.
Unaizah, a city in the central region of Qassim, saw its highest ever rainfall on Tuesday night.
Abdullah Al-Misnad, vice president of the Saudi Weather and Climate Society, said on X that “70 mm of rain fell … in just 60 minutes, half the annual average.”
Over the course of the night, the city saw 94.4 mm of rain, while Buraidah, also in Al-Qassim saw 17.5 mm, he said in the post, which was accompanied by images of flooded streets.
The General Directorate of Civil Defense on Wednesday issued warnings and safety instructions as the Kingdom braces for more heavy rainfall and thunderstorms.
“The Civil Defense calls for caution … due to the inclement weather situation witnessed in Qassim, Baha, Northern Borders, Jouf, Jazan, Asir, Makkah, Madinah and Riyadh regions,” it said.
The authority appealed to people to “stay away from valleys and waterlogged areas” and said “your safety is our goal.”
The National Center of Meteorology said on Monday that moderate to heavy rainfall would affect many parts of the country through Friday.
On Tuesday it said there was likely to be “higher than average rainfall” throughout the month of May, with Makkah, Jazan, Asir, Baha, Eastern Province and the Riyadh region likely to be the worst affected.
Saudi Heritage Commission, Japan’s Kanazawa University join forces on archeological surveys
DUBAI: The Saudi Heritage Commission and Japan’s Kanazawa University are to collaborate on archeological work at two prehistoric sites.
The scientific cooperation agreement, which was signed on Tuesday, relates to survey work at Jouf and Tabuk.
It highlights the commission’s commitment to expanding its field work and archeological surveys across the Kingdom and enhances its scientific partnerships with specialist universities and centers around the world.
The strategic agreement will involve scientific field studies, expanding the dissemination of survey and excavation results, and attracting distinguished scientific expertise. It will also mean more scientific data and reports to help track pastoral patterns at both sites.
The signing, which took place in Riyadh, was attended by Saudi Heritage Commission CEO Jasser Al-Harbash and Iwai Fumio, the Japanese ambassador to Saudi Arabia.
