Arab News debate: Can Saudi-US relations be fixed?

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Updated 16 June 2023
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Arab News debate: Can Saudi-US relations be fixed?

  • Columnist Rob Sobhani says he would invite Saudi crown prince to White House if he was president as US needs allies more than ever
  • Democratic think-tanker Brian Katulis says there needs to be a “Vision 2030” for US-Saudi relations, says Kingdom is witnessing remarkable transformation
  • Saudi analyst Salman Al-Ansari reiterates Saudi position of building relationships worldwide that do not hurt its allies

CHICAGO: Discussing the future of Saudi-US relations during a special episode of the Ray Hanania Radio Show, a weekly program in the US sponsored by Arab News, Rob Sobhani doubled down on a recent oped in the Washington Times in which he called for Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to be invited to the White House.

“If I were the president of the US, I would call up Mohammed bin Salman, invite him to the White House, say, my friend, my partner — not a fist bump but a shaking of the hand — and say, my friend, my dear friend, let’s solve some of these global problems together,” Sobhani, an author and an adjunct professor at Georgetown University, told Wednesday’s program.

Sobhani made his recommendation for Saudi-US engagement in the oped, published on June 7, to drive home the point that maintaining and enhancing the bilateral relationship was vitally important in an increasingly multipolar world in which the US arguably needs friends and allies more than ever.

“I wrote the piece because I think it’s important to understand what makes Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman tick,” said Sobhani. “And it’s important because, in a turbulent world, where we’re moving to a new paradigm of a multipolar world. 

“But it needs allies that are independent thinkers, allies that love their own country, but also understand the value that a US relationship brings. And I really, really firmly believe that Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman can be a very, very strong partner of the US, especially on global challenges, which the crown prince himself is now championing, such as climate, such as supply-chain issues, such as global pandemic.




Rob Sobhani: Writer, author and adjunct professor at Georgetown University specializing in US Policy in the Middle East and CEO, chairman, and founder of Caspian Group holdings, LLC.

“So I do believe that President Biden and his foreign-policy team need to really rethink the way in which they look at Saudi Arabia in general and, in particular, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.”

Sobhani’s oped has sparked fresh debate in US foreign-policy circles about Washington’s handling of the bilateral relationship. Indeed, perceptions of Saudi Arabia and the Middle East in general have been particularly divided in recent years.

Asked whether it took a lot of convincing or pushback to publish his op-ed in the Washington Times, Sobhani said the publication could be fair and also critical when it needed to be. He compared it favorably to many of the liberal mainstream media, which, he said, had got it wrong on the Middle East in the past.

“The Washington Times has been a very fair and balanced paper as it concerns Saudi Arabia,” Sobhani told the program. “When the time comes, they’ll be critical. They’ll post critical op-eds. But, overall, they have been extremely, extremely balanced in their writings and in their narratives about Saudi Arabia.


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“I personally preferred to put this piece in the Washington Times because history suggests that 45, 46, 47 years ago, when the liberal media in this country used the term ‘saint’ for (Iran’s) Ayatollah Khomeini, and now we see the results, it is indeed important that good media balance, media like the Times, be applauded.”

Weighing in on the topic, Democratic commentator Brian Katulis, a senior fellow and vice president of policy at the Middle East Institute and editor at large of the Liberal Patriot, agreed that the US needs to revise its position on Saudi Arabia.

Having previously argued for a deepening of Saudi-US ties, Katulis told the Ray Hanania Radio Show that American officials need to understand that the dynamics have changed since 1991 when it was the pre-eminent power in a unipolar world.

Instead, he called for a “Vision 2030” for US-Saudi relations, riffing on the Kingdom’s social reform and economic diversification strategy, designed to move away from hydrocarbon dependency and to open up to new industries, investments and ideas.

“America has changed and it’s quite different from what we heard from Obama or Bush or Clinton,” Katulis told the program. “I would take what is the self-professed Saudi vision for its own social and economic transformation. It’s been out there for a while, and I would combine the two.

“I’ve talked to very senior US and Saudi officials about the need to do this right and they know it ... So, you have to have a long-term discussion between the two sides, a strategic dialogue, and it’s got to be a conversation. It’s got to be no holds barred. But we’re equal partners and let’s talk about it. And then you would chart it out in each of the different sectors.”




Brian Katulis: a senior fellow and vice president of policy at the Middle East Institute and editor-at-large of The Liberal Patriot.

Asked whether Saudi authorities tend to get on better with Democrats or Republicans, Katulis said there are actually a lot of similarities between both parties on national security topics involving the Middle East.

“If you look at both the Biden administration’s national security strategy document and the Trump administration’s national security strategy document, there’s a lot of similarities actually between the two,” he said.

“And I think if countries like Saudi Arabia did a better job in articulating how they actually will help America advance its interests and even, to some extent, on certain issues like social issues, the values, they’re going to be much more persuasive with politicians on both sides of the aisle on Capitol Hill.

“And ultimately ... 2023 is also not like 2005 or 2013 in that a lot of these national-security questions, and especially Middle East policy questions, quite frankly, are not on the radar screen of American politics the way they used to be. That’s an advantage, but it’s also a disadvantage.”

For his part, Salman Al-Ansari, a Saudi businessman, writer and political commentator, said there is a lot of miscommunication about the realities of Saudi Arabia and that US officials are not getting the full picture — particularly on the Kingdom’s stance on Syria’s readmission into the Arab League.

“I think the case has not been understood widely in the global narrative,” he told the Ray Hanania Radio Show. “What happened has been explained by the foreign affairs minister of Saudi Arabia, Prince Faisal bin Farhan.

“He said it’s going to be a step for a step. Which means what? Yes, we admitted Syria back into the fold, to the Arab world. But that doesn’t mean that they will be having some kind of economic benefit out of it.

“But the stalemate was not helpful. That’s the view of Saudi Arabia. So, if we go back to the Congress bill, with regard to Syria, and the Caesar Bill, which is about the sanctions, it mentioned three major points: To lift the sanctions on Syria. There needs to be a political reform based on (UN Security Council Resolution) 2254. Saudi Arabia wants that.

“Second, to have the sanctions to be lifted, you need to send out or kick out the militias. The Iranian and the foreign militias out of Syria. And Saudi Arabia wants that. The third is to have an amnesty and also to have the opposition and the refugees to be back to Syria. And Saudi Arabia wants that.

“So, I don’t think the Saudis and the US are not on the same page. They are actually on the exact same page. They have the same objective. But Saudi Arabia wants to achieve that objective through admitting or readmitting Syria to the Arab fold.”




Salman Al-Ansari: A Saudi businessman, writer and political commentator, who specializes in strategic and political communications.

As for Saudi Arabia’s warming relations with China, Al-Ansari said the US should not be concerned.

“China is the biggest trading partner of Saudi Arabia and 130 other nations as well, including the US itself. So, it’s a reality and the Kingdom is re-evaluating its strategic worldview accordingly,” he said.

“And we should not deny the fact that unipolarity is somehow over. And I believe it to be a good thing because multipolarity means more voices, more perspectives and more progress, and the world needs balance and multipolarity brings equilibrium.

“And the US — I don’t want to be mistaken — the US will always remain Saudi Arabia’s biggest strategic and security partner.”

Al-Ansari thinks part of the problem with Saudi-US relations is the Kingdom’s inability to communicate its message clearly to an American audience. In fact, as he pointed out, Saudi Arabia is the only G20 country without an English language news channel.

“A TV channel is very important. We should have a lot of English-based networks when it comes to the media to tell our stories,” he said.

“And I’m actually optimistic about the current minister of media in Saudi Arabia, who has been in the field of media for so long and he’s a writer and thinker who can actually advance the Saudi approach to the whole world.

“So maybe that issue of us not being understood is a two way stream. From the other side, we have seen how there is this actually Saudi phobia, unfortunately, and how whatever we do, we are always damned if we do, damned if we don’t.

“That’s one, to blame the US and the Western media for. And the other blame is on us not being vocal and not having institutions that can actually tell our exact stories.”

As a result, Al-Ansari believes there have been several missed opportunities to promote some of the Kingdom’s achievements.

“You don’t hear (about these achievements) in the Western media, or the biased ones, for sure. And that’s one of the reasons that we are not having this kind of good coverage,” he said.

“I remember the Saudi ambassador to the EU, Haifa Al-Judea, pointing out that Saudi Arabia has removed all barriers for women to enter the labor market and said Saudi Arabia introduced laws for equal pay in 2019, which even many of the EU states and the US don’t have.

“So, these things are amazing. These things had not been anticipated just six, seven, eight years ago. And right now we are having this kind of, I would call it a Saudi renaissance that needs to be seen with admiration rather than just being critical for no reason.”

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So, what would it take for the Saudi-US relationship to be fixed? Apart from inviting Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to the White House, Sobhani said the US and Saudi Arabia should identify a handful of areas where they can cooperate and make a difference.

“I guarantee you that if the US and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman got together in a room and decided, you know what, we’re going to capture two-thirds of all the carbon that’s out there by planting a trillion trees, the world would be behind it,” said Sobhani, highlighting the Saudi and Middle East Green Initiatives, launched by the crown prince in 2021.

“If we go to Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and argue, let’s build the world’s best cancer cluster so that we can solve the problem of cancer, he will step up to the plate.

“Because guess what? Cancer doesn’t understand Saudi or American. Cancer does not understand Republican or Democrat. Cancer does not understand Salafi or Wahhabi. Cancer kills.

“And if we partner with Saudi Arabia and Mohammed bin Salman, that’s positive for the world.”

Sobhani drew parallels between the Saudi crown prince and other famous reformist figures from Middle Eastern history.

“Ataturk in Turkiye trying to take a country and move it forward. Reza Shah in Iran, trying to take a country and move it forward. A former leader of Singapore turning an island nation into one of the most prosperous (states),” he said, referring to Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, Mohammad Reza Shah and Lee Kuan Yew.

“Yes, along the road there may have been bumps for Mohammed bin Salman, but there is no doubt that he is on the right trajectory to be a leader for his country.”

For Katulis, despite concerns about political divisions in the US, the country remains a resilient force and the best possible ally for Saudi Arabia.

“They (the Saudis) know deep down inside there’s no better country to partner with, not only for their security, but also in the long term economically,” he said.

“I actually think America has an amazing resilience and an ability to correct itself in terms of its own system. And it’s because we have a free media, we have freedom, we have a lot of independence.

“It’s chaotic from time to time. And yes, there are divisions, but I think there is a genuine desire to partner with the US and think about the future.”

Furthermore, Katulis believes now is the right time for the US to fully engage strategically with the Middle East as a whole.

“America, rather than restrain itself or pull back from the region, actually needs to double down on its engagement in the region,” he said.

“By that, I mean not just military maneuvers and helping others protect themselves from threats, but also seizing opportunities, economic opportunities, social change opportunities. And it would be better for the US to do this.”

 

 


DJ rediscovers Saudi music through vinyl

Updated 28 April 2024
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DJ rediscovers Saudi music through vinyl

  • Yaser Hammad says researching Saudi singers fueled passion for cultural preservation through music

JEDDAH: The timeless ritual of visiting record stores to unearth original Saudi and Arabic vinyl records fuels Yaser Hammad, a Saudi DJ specializing in Arabic musical treasures.

“I prefer to label myself as a selector rather than a traditional DJ,” he tells Arab News. “This allows me to introduce the audience to classical songs that may be new to them, setting my offerings apart from other DJs in the region.”

DJing with vinyl is an art that can be a bit more complicated: “Being a vinyl DJ involves more than just playing music … it’s about carrying physical songs, which is quite valuable. Unlike digital formats using a USB to carry songs, vinyl DJing requires a hands-on approach and adds a unique quality to my performances, creating a distinct ambiance for the audience.”

Amid changing online and digital music trends, Saudi DJ Yaser Hammad, known professionally as Adulsamee3 Allamee3, is upholding the tradition of vinyl. (Supplied)

Depending on the venue, Hammad typically selects music that blends with the location and audience. Given his Hijazi heritage, the historic Al-Balad district in Jeddah is a regular spot where he plays music focusing on Hijazi female singers from the golden age, such as Touha, Ibtisam Lutfi, as well as renowned singers like Talal Maddah and Fawzi Mahsoun.

“My education has fueled my love for Saudi classics and cultural preservation through music,” Hammad said. “Researching Saudi singers has enriched my appreciation for their role in shaping our cultural heritage.”

Hammad’s passion for vinyl records began during his time in film school in Los Angeles, where he frequented Amoeba, the world’s largest record store. Delving into the world music section, he discovered Arabic records, both secondhand and new represses. Inspired by this period, Hammad sought to uncover more genres within Arabic music.

Amid changing online and digital music trends, Saudi DJ Yaser Hammad, known professionally as Adulsamee3 Allamee3, is upholding the tradition of vinyl. (Supplied)

During his years in Cairo and Beirut, he searched for record shops, connecting with fellow music enthusiasts who shared his love for Arabic music. Upon returning to Saudi Arabia, he met Mohannad Nassar, a local vinyl DJ professionally known as Vinyl Mode, who encouraged him to share his collection through DJing. Mohannad became Hammad’s mentor, teaching him the art of vinyl DJing and offering unwavering support.

Going analog in a digital world

Hammad’s journey as a DJ began with his first performance at Medd Cafe in Jeddah, just before the COVID-19 pandemic. During the lockdown, he embraced virtual platforms like Zoom and Instagram Live sessions by MDLBeast that gave him a platform to explore and experiment with his music in new ways.

Arabic and Saudi music reflect Hammad’s identity, intertwining poetry and storytelling, often overlooked but crucial in revitalizing the cultural landscape. Despite challenges, particularly matching classical Arabic with the beat-matching technology of modern DJing, performing through vinyl offers a unique analog experience, relying on intuition and auditory senses, enriching the audience’s connection to the music.

I enjoy exploring record shops worldwide for Arabic music, uncovering unique stories like discovering Umm Kulthum’s classics in Annecy, France, pressed by Arab migrants with superior quality.

Yaser Hammad, Saudi vinyl DJ

“I enjoy exploring record shops worldwide for Arabic music, uncovering unique stories like discovering Umm Kulthum’s classics in Annecy, France, pressed by Arab migrants with superior quality. Personal interactions with shop owners and their recommendations add value to the records, unlike online purchases.

“Despite travels, I rarely found Saudi music until discovering Abu Mubarak’s WhatsApp group during COVID-19, auctioning rare vinyls of folk Saudi singers like Basher Hamad Shenan and Issa Al-Ahsa’i, fostering a vibrant community of Saudi music collectors,” he added.

Yaser Hammad, Saudi vinyl DJ

Hammad, also a film director, said that music inspires his writing, helping him tell stories through curating music. One of his most memorable mixes called “Pass by Jeddah,” available on his SoundCloud page, narrates a love story that starts in Jeddah, moves to Makkah and ends with heartbreak on the road to Madinah.

Despite growing up listening to 2000s Egyptian and Lebanese pop music, Hammad's iPod post-high school helped him to explore various Arabic music genres, discovering traditional Saudi singers. Their music resonated with him, offering a newfound sense of representation and connection.

Dubbed as Adulsamee3 Allamee3, a funky Arabic moniker inspired by the renowned late Egyptian actor and comedian Samir Ghanim’s character, Hammad has performed at significant events and venues within the Kingdom and internationally, including MENA Night at Cannes Lions Festival organized by media group SRMG and streaming platform Anghami in Cannes, France; the Islamic Arts Biennale opening night in Jeddah; and the FenaaPhone exhibition’s closing night in Riyadh.

Amid changing online and digital music trends, Hammad is upholding the tradition of vinyl.

“Playing in public venues is an experience. Some find it hard to grasp that without the physical vinyl, I can’t fulfill their requests, even if it’s a TikTok trend,” he said. “Despite the amusing encounters, there are heartfelt moments, too, especially when the audience appreciates Saudi singers’ vinyl records.”

Hammad’s cultural plea is for Saudis to safeguard their heritage, particularly their music culture, by cherishing old cassette tapes, CDs, vinyl records and other items.

To discover Hammad’s collections, check out his SoundCloud show, Sama3i or “listening sessions.”

 


King Salman academy opens registration for global Arabic language prize

Updated 28 April 2024
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King Salman academy opens registration for global Arabic language prize

  • Al-Washmi praised the support and guidance of Minister of Culture Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan, the chairman of the academy’s board of trustees, for the programs organized by the academy, including the prize

RIYADH: The King Salman Global Academy for Arabic Language has announced that registrations for its prize are now open to individuals and organizations from all over the world.

Registration closes on June 30 and the total value of prizes to be awarded amounts to about SR1.6 million ($427,000), the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The prize promotes the Arabic language and acknowledges the efforts of individuals and institutions serving the language, encouraging them to maintain its development, preserve its integrity and develop ways of using Arabic.

Abdullah bin Saleh Al-Washmi, secretary-general of the academy. (SPA)

Abdullah bin Saleh Al-Washmi, secretary-general of the academy, said that the prize falls within the framework of efforts by the academy to nurture Arabic, whether in terms of promoting the language or supporting its status, locally and internationally.

“Individuals and institutions working in the field will be praised for their efforts, exceptional individuals will be honored, loyalty to Arabic will be deepened, and communication between the Arab community members will be improved,” he said of the upcoming prize.

“Arabic language-related disciplines will also be praised to ensure a great future for the language and maintain it at the forefront of all languages, while enriching the Arabic knowledge content and raising awareness of our timeless language,” he added.

The King Salman Global Academy Prize for Arabic Language is one of the main initiatives launched by the academy to serve and enhance the Arabic language.

Abdullah bin Saleh Al-Washmi, Secretary-general, King Salman Global Academy for Arabic Language

Al-Washmi praised the support and guidance of Minister of Culture Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan, the chairman of the academy’s board of trustees, for the programs organized by the academy, including the prize.

“The King Salman Global Academy Prize for Arabic Language is one of the main initiatives launched by the academy to serve and enhance the Arabic language,” the secretary-general said. “This initiative falls within the academy’s integrated foundational work stemming from the Human Capability Development Program, an objective of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030, aimed at strengthening the identity, reviving authenticity, and enriching the personality and skills of the human being.”

The prize comprises four branches, including teaching and learning the Arabic language; computerizing the Arabic language and serving it with modern technologies; Arabic language research and scientific studies; and spreading linguistic awareness and creating linguistic community initiatives.

The branches were established to ensure that the objectives of the prize are met while being able to improve the most relevant aspects affecting and related to the future of the language.

Arabic-speaking researchers, authors, specialists and others interested in the Arabic language may apply if they meet certain criteria.

Governmental and private institutions that serve the language may also apply for the prize, including higher education institutions and their components, specialized study organizations and centers, bodies that have prioritized the language, as well as documented and reliable projects.

The nominated works undergo three judging cycles: selection and qualification; scientific examination; and final judging.

The works will be assessed by 18 judges from various countries, according to criteria including creativity and innovation, production uniqueness, comprehensiveness and widespread dissemination, and effectiveness and impact.

For more information, visit prize.ksaa.gov.sa.

 


Saudi Arabia expresses ‘deep concern’ over military escalation in Sudan’s North Darfur

Updated 28 April 2024
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Saudi Arabia expresses ‘deep concern’ over military escalation in Sudan’s North Darfur

  • Ministry renewed Saudi Arabia’s call to all Sudanese parties to commit to the agreements

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Ministry expressed on Sunday the Kingdom’s deep concern over the escalation of military tensions in Al-Fashir, North Darfur.

An attack on Al-Fashir in Sudan’s North Darfur region by the Rapid Support Forces is imminent, UN officials have warned.

The ministry renewed Saudi Arabia’s call to all Sudanese parties to commit to the agreements reached during peace talks in Jeddah between the RSF and Sudan’s army.

These agreements aim to expedite a cessation of hostilities and resolve the ongoing crisis through political dialogue, ultimately preserving Sudan’s unity and the security of its people and resources.

War erupted in Sudan one year ago between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary RSF, creating the world’s largest displacement crisis. Al-Fashir is the last major city in the vast, western Darfur region not under control of the RSF.

The RSF and its allies swept through four other Darfur state capitals last year, and were blamed for a campaign of ethnically driven killings against non-Arab groups and other abuses in West Darfur.


Saudi FM meets Algerian, Malaysian, Sri Lankan, Swiss, Norwegian counterparts in Riyadh

Updated 28 April 2024
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Saudi FM meets Algerian, Malaysian, Sri Lankan, Swiss, Norwegian counterparts in Riyadh

RIYADH: Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan held meetings with his Algerian, Malaysian, Sri Lankan, Swiss and Norwegian counterparts on Sunday.
The meetings took place on the sidelines of a special meeting of the World Economic Forum in Riyadh, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The talks focused on bolstering bilateral relations and addressing regional developments, particularly the situation in the Gaza Strip.


 


Riyadh forum highlights Saudi Arabia’s vision for healthcare and tourism

Tourism in Saudi Arabia contributes 4 percent to the national GDP. (AN Photo by Huda Bashatah)
Updated 28 April 2024
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Riyadh forum highlights Saudi Arabia’s vision for healthcare and tourism

RIYADH: Saudi Deputy Minister of Investment Transaction Saleh Al-Khabti said that the healthcare sector’s contribution to the Kingdom’s gross domestic product is projected to reach about $66.6 billion, with the creation of more than 245,000 jobs by 2030.

Al-Khabti shared the information during a panel discussion titled “The Kingdom and Vision 2030 as a Global Health Tourism Destination”, at the Health Tourism Future Forum, which began Sunday in Riyadh.

The three-day event features presentations, workshops, a young researchers' forum, business meetings, seminars, and interactive sessions. (AN Photo by Huda Bashatah)

The Health Tourism Club and the Health Tourism Association, in partnership with the Global Healthcare Travel Council, launched the forum to identify priorities and redefine visions for health tourism at regional and international levels.

The forum, which this year coincides with the eighth anniversary of the launch of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, is an annual global platform for the health tourism industry aiming to develop future strategies in the Kingdom’s healthcare sector. The global healthcare industry is estimated to be worth $4.4 trillion.

Ahmed Al-Ouraij, President of the Health Tourism Association said the forum represents the birth of the first specialized health tourism initiatives. (AN Photo by Huda Bashatah)

Al-Khabti said that significant investment is needed in the Saudi healthcare sector over the next seven years, much of which will be driven by the National Investment Strategy.

“Regarding foreign direct investment, Saudi Arabia reached about $19 billion, a three-time increase since 2017,” he said.

Ahmed Al-Ouraij, president of the Health Tourism Association, said that the forum marked the beginning of the first specialized health tourism initiatives.

Healthcare London is a collaborative of nine healthcare providers - 23 hospitals - such as the Cleveland Clinic and Imperial College. (AN Photo by Huda Bashatah)

Health tourism involves individuals traveling to another country for medical treatment or wellness services. The sector has grown rapidly in recent years due to increasing healthcare costs in many countries and advances in medical technology and expertise in specific regions.

Mahmoud Abdulhadi, deputy minister of tourism for destination enablement, mentioned that Saudi Arabia’s tourism industry has made significant progress, exceeding its target of 106 million visitors seven years ahead of schedule.

“The total amount spent on the total population of visitors was about $66.6 billion, a direct contribution to the economy,” Abdulhadi said.

The three-day event features presentations, workshops, a young researchers' forum, business meetings, seminars, and interactive sessions. (AN Photo by Huda Bashatah)

The deputy minister also said that about 10 percent of all employment rates globally come from the tourism or tourism-related sectors. In Saudi Arabia, tourism contributes 4 percent to the national GDP.  

“Tourism is a key contributor to Vision 2030 because it creates employment. When we started our journey in 2019, we had 600,000 employees in the sector, and today we have 925,000.”

Abdulhadi added that increasing the number of employees to 1.6 million by 2030 seemed on target, given the current trajectory.

“Leisure is now our second-largest source of visitation after spiritual visits to the holy sites and our fastest growing sector,” he said.

Conversely, only a small percentage of visitors to the Kingdom travel for medical or wellness purposes.

Abdulhadi said: “The reason might be because health tourism hasn’t been marketed well enough or in the right way.”

While the health tourism sector is still in its early stages, Abdulhadi believes there is a strong domestic market, or potential, for wellness and health travel.  

Health tourism can range from medical treatment to wellness services. Abdulhadi said: “We have on the technical side people who are coming in for treatment for specific illnesses, and then we have on the soft side people who are coming in for what a spa experience in a nice destination is.”

He said that certain destinations lend themselves to potential wellness offerings, but that having the proper infrastructure in place is critical.

In the exhibition accompanying the conference, Healthcare London, a collaboration between nine healthcare providers, announced its official launch.

It was formed to allow more international patients to access the treatment that London’s leading private healthcare providers and NHS teaching hospitals can offer.

Michael Barker, project manager at Healthcare London, told Arab News: “Ever since we started working on Healthcare London, Saudi Arabia has been our No.1 market, especially because we know it very well.”

The forum also addresses challenges, proposes innovative solutions for sustainable growth, and works to raise awareness about the need to prioritize health and well-being. It is the culmination of the Kingdom’s drive to boost medical tourism and enhance the local and global healthcare sector.

The three-day event includes presentations, workshops, a young researchers’ forum, discussions, business meetings, seminars and interactive sessions. The activities focus on aspects of medical tourism such as innovation, investment, marketing and legislation.