Saudi tourism minister meets foreign counterparts in Uzbekistan

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The Saudi minister also held talks with the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s tourism minister, Didier Mazenga Mukanzu. (SPA)
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Al-Khateeb meets with Jamaica’s Minister of Tourism Edmund Bartlett. (SPA)
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Saudi Minister of Tourism Ahmed Al-Khateeb meets his Zambian and Zimbabwean counterparts Rodney Sikumba and Barbara Wodz. (SPA)
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Updated 21 October 2023
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Saudi tourism minister meets foreign counterparts in Uzbekistan

  • The meeting was held on the sidelines of the UN World Tourism Organization General Assembly gathering in the city of Samarkand

RIYADH: Saudi Minister of Tourism Ahmed Al-Khateeb recently met his Zambian and Zimbabwean counterparts Rodney Sikumba and Barbara Wodz, respectively, in Uzbekistan.

The meeting was held on the sidelines of the UN World Tourism Organization General Assembly gathering in the city of Samarkand.

During talks, the ministers discussed development opportunities in African wildlife tourism.

In a separate meeting, Al-Khateeb met with Jamaica’s Minister of Tourism Edmund Bartlett and reviewed the growth of the tourism sector in the Caribbean.

The Saudi minister also held talks with the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s tourism minister, Didier Mazenga Mukanzu, during which they discussed ways to boost tourism between the Middle East and Africa.

Delegations from 117 countries, including 70 ministerial-level representatives, attended the 25th session of the five-day UNWTO conference, which ended on Oct. 20.

Saudi Arabia will host the next session of the UNWTO General Assembly in 2025. The assembly is the highest decision-making body within the UNWTO, which comprises more than 159 member states, as well as representatives from the private sector and nongovernmental organizations.

The upcoming session of the General Assembly will provide Saudi Arabia with an opportunity to showcase its advances in tourism and enhance international cooperation in the sector.


Taif festival celebrates Saudi Arabia’s literary icons

Updated 11 January 2026
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Taif festival celebrates Saudi Arabia’s literary icons

  • It introduces visitors to the contributions of literary pioneers through accessible visual and narrative content

TAIF: A special section highlighting key Saudi literary figures forms part of the Writers and Readers Festival in Taif.

The area explores the lives of distinguished writers, poets, and authors who have shaped the Kingdom’s creative landscape, influencing literature, journalism, theater and intellectual thought.

It introduces visitors to the contributions of literary pioneers through accessible visual and narrative content, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Sunday.

Organized by the Literature, Publishing and Translation Commission, the festival runs until Jan. 15 and features 42 prominent publishing houses from Saudi Arabia and overseas, offering visitors the chance to explore the latest works in literature, philosophy and general knowledge.

Meanwhile, the festival’s interactive murals section engages visitors with openwork art panels, allowing them to contribute to the city’s features and identity.

The murals depict Taif’s natural and historical landmarks, including Al-Hada Mountain, the Taif rose gardens, and traditional Hijazi palaces. Others are inspired by Souq Okaz, a historic literary and commercial center linked to the region’s poetic heritage.

Designed by a visual artist, they blend folk-inspired elements with imaginative expression, creating a collaborative experience that celebrates the city’s beauty and brings art closer to the public.