Saudi tourism chief examines final preparations for Taif Season

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The festival seeks to contribute to achieving the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 strategy, which aims to improve quality of life, raise living standards, and create career and investment opportunities. (SPA)
Updated 30 July 2019
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Saudi tourism chief examines final preparations for Taif Season

  • The festival focuses on highlighting the region’s historical and cultural status and artistic diversity

TAIF: Ahmed Al-Khateeb, president of the Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage (SCTH), inspected the sites where Taif Season will take place. 

He did so in the presence of Taif’s Gov. Saad Al-Maimouni, its mayor, Mohammed Hameel, and the head of its police department, Maj. Gen. Ali Al-Atwi.

Al-Khateeb examined the final preparations before the launch of Taif Season, which will take place throughout August in four central locations that will host 70 main events.

He and his colleagues toured Souq Okaz, which will host pavilions, historical events and innovative cultural activities. 

They also visited Ward village in Al-Rudaf Park, the location of the Crown Prince Camel Festival,
and sites that offer a mountain-walking experience.

Al-Khateeb stressed to workers the importance of making visitors’ experiences remarkable. He commended government agencies and the private sector for their important role in the season’s preparation.

Top tourist destination

It aims to highlight Saudi Arabia as an international tourist destination, Taif’s historical and civilizational status, its cultural and artistic diversity, and its moderate climate.

Taif Season seeks to contribute to achieving the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 strategy, which aims to improve quality of life, raise living standards, and create career and investment opportunities.

“Taif Season is at full readiness
to receive families. It includes … recreational and qualitative cultural events all over Taif,” Al-Khateeb said.

The season depends on positive engagement with Taif’s residents, and is providing seasonal job opportunities for young men and women, as well as investment opportunities for regional entrepreneurs and small and medium enterprises, he added. 

Role of private sector

“We’ll celebrate a successful season,” he said, urging the private sector to contribute to enriching future ones.

The event also aims to provide thousands of temporary and
permanent jobs in the sector while encouraging investment opportunities.

SCTH officials said events being lined up for the Taif Season were part of coordinated efforts between the public and private sectors.

The aim of Taif Season was to consolidate its stature as a top Arab destination by putting the area’s rich history and culture under the spotlight with a range of family entertainment and tourist events, organizers said. 

Taif Season has its own dedicated social media account, in addition to the Saudi Seasons website. 


Thunderstorms expected across Kingdom until Sunday

Updated 19 March 2025
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Thunderstorms expected across Kingdom until Sunday

  • Thunderstorms are expected to continue across most regions of the Kingdom until Sunday

RIYADH: Thunderstorms are expected to continue across most regions of the Kingdom until Sunday, leading the General Directorate of Civil Defense to urge the public to exercise caution, stay in safe areas, avoid flood-prone valleys and watercourses, and refrain from swimming in them.

It emphasized the importance of following official instructions issued through media outlets and social media platforms, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday.

According to the report, the Makkah region will experience moderate to heavy rainfall, leading to flash floods, hail and winds, causing dust and sandstorms.

Similar conditions are expected in the Riyadh region.

The directorate indicated that the regions of Madinah, Baha, Asir, Jazan, Qassim, and the Eastern Province will also experience moderate to heavy rainfall. Moderate rain is expected in the Najran region while the Hail region will have light showers.


Saudi Arabia cracks down on foreign truck violations

Updated 19 March 2025
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Saudi Arabia cracks down on foreign truck violations

  • Inspection teams have seized 25 trucks illegally transporting goods in cities

RIYADH: The Transport General Authority is stepping up inspections on foreign trucks in Saudi Arabia to enforce land transport regulations.

Inspection teams have seized 25 trucks illegally transporting goods in cities, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday.

Each offense resulted in a SR10,000 ($2,666) fine and immediate impoundment of the vehicle, the SPA added.

In Riyadh, 86 inspections revealed 24 offenses and impoundments, while in Jeddah, one offense and impoundment were recorded from eight inspections.

The authority reaffirmed its zero-tolerance policy, which results in a SR10,000 fine and a 15-day impoundment for first-time offenders.

Repeat offenses result in escalating penalties: SR20,000 and 30 days for the second offense; SR40,000 and 60 days for the third; SR80,000 and 60 days for the fourth; and SR160,000 and 60 days for the fifth. Persistent offenders face having their vehicles confiscated.

These nationwide campaigns enhance transport oversight, ensure fair competition, and support the national carrier, the SPA reported.

In collaboration with relevant bodies, the authority has set four key regulations for foreign truck operations: obtaining an electronic transport document via “bayan.logisti.sa,” limiting transport to return journeys, complying with local carrier rules, and settling offenses before entry or exit.


KSrelief delivers food aid to thousands in need

Updated 19 March 2025
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KSrelief delivers food aid to thousands in need

  • In Somalia’s Bay region, 1,200 packages were distributed to families
  • In Syria, KSrelief distributed food baskets to 600 families in Daraa governorate

RIYADH: Saudi aid agency KSrelief has delivered thousands of food baskets to some of the world’s most vulnerable people, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday.

In Somalia’s Bay region, 1,200 packages were distributed to families in need as part of the Etaam Ramadan food project.

In Jhenaidah district, Bangladesh, 200 packages were distributed, while 685 baskets were given to needy families in Lebanon.

In Syria, KSrelief distributed food baskets to 600 families in Daraa governorate.

Now in its fourth phase, the Etaam project aims to distribute more than 390,000 food parcels in 27 countries during Ramadan, benefiting 2.3 million people at a cost of more than SR67 million ($17.8 million).

KSrelief also distributed 1,100 baskets in Khartoum, Sudan. The project will distribute 30,000 parcels to displaced people returning to their homes.


Manga Productions looks to attract Japanese investment for Riyadh Season

Updated 19 March 2025
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Manga Productions looks to attract Japanese investment for Riyadh Season

  • New pact inked with entertainment firm Sela
  • Promotions to take place at Anime Japan 2025

RIYADH: Manga Productions, a subsidiary of the Mohammed bin Salman Foundation, or Misk, has signed a new strategic partnership with the Saudi Arabia entertainment company Sela.

The partnership aims to strengthen collaboration with renowned Japanese companies and create new opportunities for their participation in Riyadh Season, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday.

Potential collaborations will enable Japanese companies to engage with Saudi Arabia and international audiences through events and experiences in the Kingdom with the facilitation of Manga Productions, the SPA reported.

In 2022, Sela unveiled a 33-meter-tall statue of the anime character Grendizer, which set a Guinness World Record during Riyadh Season of that year.

This year, Manga Productions announced its official sponsorship of Anime Japan 2025, one of the world’s leading events in the creative industry.

During the event from March 22 to 25, the company’s booth will promote investment opportunities, according to the SPA.

This article also appears on Arab News Japan


Saudi Arabia condemns attempted assassination of Somali president

Updated 19 March 2025
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Saudi Arabia condemns attempted assassination of Somali president

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia condemned on Wednesday an attack that targeted the convoy of Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud.

A roadside bomb exploded near the presidential residence on Tuesday shortly after Mohamud’s convoy left the palace grounds, but the head of state was unharmed, according to officials.

A Saudi Foreign Ministry statement said: “The Kingdom reaffirms its solidarity with the Federal Republic of Somalia and its people against all threats to its security and stability, reiterating its firm stance in rejecting all forms of violence, terrorism, and extremism.”

Reports said that up to four people had been killed, including a journalist who was in a nearby building that collapsed after the explosion.

Somali militant group Al-Shabab claimed responsibility for the attack.

The president’s entourage was traveling to the airport to head to the frontlines in Middle Shabelle, where Mahamud is expected to oversee the military campaign against the militant group.

The Somali government has increased its effort to crush Al-Shabab in recent months in Middle Shabelle as well as other regions.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also condemned the attack and reaffirmed the global body’s commitment to Somalia’s people and government.

The British embassy in Mogadishu denounced the attack and offered condolences to the victims.

“The UK remains a steadfast partner to the Somali Government as they fight the violent extremists behind this despicable attack,” the embassy said in a statement.

Mohamud was in the Kingdom in November to attend the Extraordinary Arab and Islamic Summit in the Saudi capital Riyadh, where he reaffirmed Somalia’s support for the Palestinian people and urged for there to be a ceasefire in Gaza.