RIYADH: The Saudi tourism and national heritage sector is witnessing unprecedented growth thanks to the support and care of King Salman, said Prince Sultan bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, president of the Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage (SCTH).
The king issued a directive to support the sector by passing resolutions and allocating budgets that contribute to its development and make it a major revenue source for the national economy.
Prince Sultan, speaking at a session of the executive council of the UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), said the Saudi tourism and national heritage industry has developed notably in the last 16 years.
He said the SCTH has an important role in enabling the industry to compete regionally, contributing to the growth of the national economy, providing job opportunities for citizens and participating in the state’s national development plans.
“This sector... is an important source for the economy and an alternative to oil. It provides many job opportunities,” he added.
Prince Sultan said tourism revenues rose from SR57.3 billion ($15.3 billion) in 2004 to SR166.8 billion at the end of 2016; the number of licensed tourist facilities increased from 1,402 in 2009 to 6,454 at the end of 2016; the number of international companies operating hotels rose from eight in 2002 to 25 at the end of 2016; the number of workers in the sector rose from 333,000 in 2004 to more than 936,000 in 2016; and the number of job opportunities is expected to increase to 1.2 million by 2020.
The UNWTO secretary-general said he valued the efforts of Prince Sultan, and the organization will honor him at its General Assembly in China in September.
Unprecedented growth in Saudi tourism sector: SCTH
Unprecedented growth in Saudi tourism sector: SCTH
Saudi Arabia strongly condemns Israeli settlers for storming courtyards of Al-Aqsa Mosque
- Kingdom’s Foreign Ministry also renewed its denunciation of continued Israeli violations of international law and repeated attacks on the sanctity of Al-Aqsa Mosque
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia strongly condemned on Sunday Israeli settlers for storming the courtyards of Al-Aqsa Mosque under the protection of Israel’s security forces.
The Kingdom’s Foreign Ministry also renewed its denunciation of continued Israeli violations of international law and repeated attacks on the sanctity of Al-Aqsa Mosque.
The Kingdom affirmed its categorical rejection of anything that affects the historical and legal status of Jerusalem and its holy sites.It also called on the international community to hold Israeli authorities accountable for their serious and ongoing violations against Islamic holy sites and innocent civilians in Palestine.
Syrian conjoined twins arrive in Saudi Arabia for medical assessment
RIYADH: Syrian conjoined twins Celine and Eleen Abdulmoneim Alshibli, along with their family, arrived in Riyadh on Sunday, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The twins and their parents were invited to the Kingdom upon directives of King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, SPA added.
The twins travelled from Lebanon aboard a medical evacuation aircraft provided by the Saudi Ministry of Defense.
They are scheduled to undergo a comprehensive series of medical evaluations at the King Abdullah Specialist Children’s Hospital in Riyadh, and these assessments will determine the feasibility of performing a separation surgery.
Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah, the supervisor-general of the Saudi aid agency KSrelief and head of the surgical and multidisciplinary team, thanked the Kingdom’s leadership for the humanitarian initiative.
“This act underscores Saudi Arabia’s dedication to humanitarian values and its globally recognized medical expertise,” Al-Rabeeah said. He also highlighted the Kingdom’s ongoing efforts in providing medical, humanitarian and relief support worldwide.
The Saudi Conjoined Twins Program, established in 1990, has under the management of Al-Rabeeah separated dozens of conjoined twins from countries around the world.
The family of the twins thanked the Saudi leadership, government and citizens for the warm hospitality and support extended to them since their arrival. They also expressed their trust in the capabilities of the Saudi surgical team, renowned for their expertise in handling similarly complex medical cases.
Saudi Arabia expresses condolences to South Korea after passenger plane crash
- All but two of the 181 people on board died in one of the country’s worst aviation disasters
- Kingdom’s Foreign Ministry expressed its condolences to the government and people of South Korea and wished the injured a speedy recovery
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia has expressed its condolences to the families of those who died after a plane travelling from Thailand to South Korea crashed on arrival on Sunday.
A passenger plane skidded off a runway at a South Korean airport, slammed into a concrete fence and burst into flames after its front landing gear apparently failed to deploy. All but two of the 181 people on board died in one of the country’s worst aviation disasters.
The Jeju Air plane crashed while landing in the town of Muan, about 290 kilometers south of Seoul. The Transport Ministry said the plane was a 15-year-old Boeing 737-800 jet that had arrived from Bangkok and that the crash happened at 9:03 a.m.
The Kingdom’s Foreign Ministry also expressed its condolences to the government and people of South Korea and wished the injured a speedy recovery.
Saudi project clears 3,174 Houthi mines in Yemen
RIYADH: Members of Saudi Arabia’s Project Masam removed 3,174 explosive devices from various regions of Yemen last week.
The total included three anti-personnel mines, seven anti-tank mines and 3,164 unexploded ordnances, according to a recent report.
Ousama Al-Gosaibi, the initiative’s managing director, said a total of 476,432 mines had been cleared since its inception in 2018.
The explosives were planted indiscriminately and posed a threat to civilians, including children, women and the elderly.
The demining operations took place in Marib, Aden, Jouf, Shabwa, Taiz, Hodeidah, Lahij, Sanaa, Al-Bayda, Al-Dhale and Saada.
The initiative trains local demining engineers and provides them with modern equipment. It also offers support to Yemenis injured by the devices.
Teams are tasked with clearing villages, roads and schools to facilitate safe movement for civilians and the delivery of humanitarian aid.
About 5 million people have been forced to flee their homes since the start of the conflict in Yemen, many of them displaced by the presence of land mines.
Baha festival set to launch with 280 activities
RIYADH: Preparations are complete for the start of the Baha Winter Festival. More than 67 parks and gardens, some 14 sports, and health walkways are ready to welcome visitors and residents, according to the Saudi Press Agency.
The festival will boast a diverse lineup of activities and attractions across the Tihama governorates, including Al-Makhwah, Qilwah, Al-Hijrah, and Ghamid Al-Zinad, highlighting the region’s cultural, historic, and natural treasures.
Ali bin Mohammed Al-Sawat, the secretary of the Baha region and chairman of the festival’s executive committee, said the event will offer more than 280 recreational, cultural, sports, and social activities for all age groups and interests.
Al-Sawat spoke of Tihama’s unique climate and environmental diversity, stretching from the Red Sea coast to the peaks of the Sarawat Mountains.
The region’s valleys, green plains, and majestic Shada Mountain provide breathtaking views and a peaceful escape for visitors, he said.
With a variety of restaurants, cafes, and shopping destinations, the area has become a prime attraction for tourists seeking to enjoy the winter season in the Kingdom, the SPA added.
With its rich cultural heritage, natural beauty, and diverse activities, the Baha Winter Festival promises an unforgettable experience for all attendees.
