Saudi Arabia committed to supporting global efforts to revive tourism

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This old fortress in Saudi Arabia northern province of Hail is among the Kingdom's tourism attractions. (SPA)
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This old fortress in Saudi Arabia northern province of Hail is among the Kingdom's tourism attractions. (SPA)
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This old fortress in Saudi Arabia northern province of Hail is among the Kingdom's tourism attractions. (SPA)
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Updated 21 January 2021
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Saudi Arabia committed to supporting global efforts to revive tourism

  • Tourism in Saudi Arabia is a fundamental pillar in line with the Vision 2030 reform plan

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia attended the opening session for the 113th UN World Tourism Organization’s (UNWTO) Executive Council, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday.

The meeting reviewed the organization’s efforts, in cooperation with member states, to serve the global tourism sector and sustain its recovery by standardizing protocols that help lift restrictions imposed on travelers and supporting tourism facilities in the private sector.

Haifa Al-Jedea, general supervisor of the international relations department at the Saudi Ministry of Tourism, said that Saudi Arabia attaches great importance to cooperation with UNWTO, pointing out that the organization decided to open its first regional office in the world in Riyadh, which will start work this year.

Al-Jedea added that the regional office will be a supporting factor not only for the countries of the region but also for Africa and Asia, confirming Saudi Arabia’s commitment to cooperate with the international community to support the tourism sector at both regional and international levels.

Tourism in Saudi Arabia is a fundamental pillar in line with the Vision 2030 reform plan.

The Kingdom seeks to be a leading global tourism destination, with a goal to host 100 million visitors annually by 2030.

As a modern tourist destination, Saudi Arabia aims to focus on sustainability, as this added value represents one of the factors that will help to attract tourists from all over the world.


Board of Grievances unveils judicial intelligence hackathon to foster innovation

Updated 28 December 2025
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Board of Grievances unveils judicial intelligence hackathon to foster innovation

  • Registration opens on Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, and continues through Jan. 20, 2026

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Board of Grievances has opened registration for the Judicial Intelligence Hackathon, the institution’s first competition seeking sustainable solutions that harness cutting-edge technology to improve the efficiency of judicial procedures, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Registration opens on Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, and continues through Jan. 20, 2026, as part of efforts to cultivate talent and promote innovation in digital transformation and artificial intelligence in the judicial sector.

The board is calling on industry experts, experienced professionals, and university students to form teams of three to five members. Each team must be led by a Saudi citizen or academic staff member at least 18 years old.

Participants register via a dedicated portal on the board’s digital platform and must submit a preliminary proposal demonstrating practical and legal viability, incorporating advanced technology with appropriate quality standards, and showing innovation relevant to the board's operations with transformative impact and long-term sustainability.

Competition unfolds in two distinct tracks. The first addresses AI applications and creative solutions for administrative justice, tackling challenges such as minimizing procedural errors and offenses during virtual court proceedings and streamlining lawsuit filing classifications.

The second track emphasizes digital innovation enhancing user journeys, focusing on simplifying document submission processes when initiating lawsuits and developing accessibility solutions enabling seniors and people with disabilities to navigate board services more effectively.

Finalists are scheduled to be announced on Jan. 23, 2026, followed by virtual project discussion and presentation sessions on Jan. 28. 

According to the SPA, this methodology for sourcing innovative concepts underscores the dedication of the board’s leadership to advance performance across judicial chambers and administrative divisions while pursuing strategic goals of refining administrative court litigation processes, expediting case resolutions, and establishing competitive leadership in the judicial arena.