JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia is radically expanding its leisure, tourism and hospitality sectors as it opens to international travelers. One attraction in particular could give the tourism industry an ace up its sleeve: The Soudah and “Tahlal” mountains in Rijal Almaa.
Soudah is home to the highest peak in Saudi Arabia, about 3,000 meters above sea level, and has long been popular with locals for its mild year-round temperatures.
Together with its rich history and breathtaking views, this mountainous region has all the makings of a top tourist destination.
The Soudah Development Co. was launched by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, chairman of the Public Investment Fund PIF, to help Soudah and parts of Rijal Almaa in the Asir region grow into a world-class tourist destination.
Soudah and Rijal Almaa boast a combination of geographic, historical and cultural diversity that gives visitors an authentic sense of social connection and cultural immersion, and provide them with a variety of residential and recreational options.
The site of the project was chosen with great care, as it combines all elements of natural beauty historical depth and human values based on Arab and Islamic heritage.
The place drew the attention of Western researchers and scholars for decades, such as the American engineer Karl Twitchell, who was commissioned by Saudi founder King Abdul Aziz to search for water.
The writer Abdullah bin Ali bin Hamid quoted Twitchell describing the beauty of the Soudah mountains and its water sources.
In one of his articles, compiled by his son, the former president of Abha Literary Club, Mohammed bin Abdullah Al-Hamid, into a book titled “Knowledge from Asir,” he pointed out that Jabal Tahlal, which Soudah is part of, was known by several names, including “Jabal Asir,” the “Green Mountain” or “Tawr Al-Ghamam,” all indications of the beauty and heritage of the place in popular memory.
Soudah attracts about 1 million visitors a year, and the SDC hopes to develop a destination that will attract as many as 2 million annually by 2030.
The area is also filled with natural economic resources such as iron. Professor of history at King Khalid University Dr. Ahmed Al-Fayeh pointed out that the inhabitants of the area used to extract minerals used in traditional industries, especially iron and lead, in addition to sulphur compounds used in the manufacture of knives, daggers, janbia and swords.
These areas were also known for pottery and leather industries.
The impressive natural wealth on which modern tourism projects were based includes juniper forests and wild olive trees, as well as hundreds of other trees and shrubs that form one large green space, due to mild summer weather where temperatures do not exceed 20 C with an average annual rainfall of 300 to 500 mm.
The high mountains come together with the dense forests to provide a rare investment and tourism environment, relying on nature’s components while preserving the flora and fauna, namely swallows, turtle doves, and wild pigeons, whose chirping forms a natural melody mixed with burbling water flowing through mountain forests.
The SDC infused SR11 billion ($3 billion) into local infrastructure. Planned developments include 2,700 hotel rooms, 1,300 residential units, and 30 commercial and entertainment attractions.
The project aims to boost the quality of services provided in the project area, by investing in infrastructure development though more than 20 projects worth more than SR3 billion.
Soudah and Rijal Almaa: Where Saudi Arabia’s natural beauty opens up to the world
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Soudah and Rijal Almaa: Where Saudi Arabia’s natural beauty opens up to the world
- Soudah and Rijal Almaa boast a combination of geographic, historical and cultural diversity that gives visitors an authentic sense of social connection and cultural immersion
International expert highlights the importance of safety measures to prevent fires in cities
- International experts and other officials from more than 24 countries participated in the conference held in Riyadh from Nov. 3-7
RIYADH: A fire safety and occupational health expert said that neglecting safety precautions and preventive measures is one of the leading causes of fires.
Jiff Dulin, a strategic adviser at the International Association of Fire Chiefs, shared his insights at the 4th International Fire Operations Conference, held in Riyadh from Nov. 3-7.
International experts and other officials from more than 24 countries participated in the conference, which focused on the latest developments in firefighting and crisis management.
The conference was organized by the General Directorate of Civil Defense in collaboration with Saudi Aramco and the International Association of Fire Chiefs.
Dulin urged city planners to consider safety rules and standards that help reduce the occurrence and impact of fires, as well as to enhance preparedness for crisis management through training and advance planning.
He also called for the continuation of specialized conferences and exhibitions focused on firefighting equipment and studies, emphasizing their role in exchanging experiences and enhancing the capabilities of firefighting and civil protection agencies.
Col. Mohammed Al-Hammadi, spokesperson for the Saudi Civil Defense, has stated that the directorate pays more attention to proactive preparedness and high-level readiness to handle incidents and combat fires; this is achieved through pre-established plans and scenarios based on a risk matrix.
IFOC was an exceptional opportunity for networking and exchanging expertise among specialists and experts in the firefighting field, boosting public safety standards and fostering a secure environment for all, Al-Hammadi said.
Such events address the growing challenges and serve as a key driver for advancement and innovation in the civil protection sector, he added.
Technical sessions during the conference covered safety standards and approved codes in firefighting, as well as displaying technologies in electric vehicles and fuel cell applications.
One panel discussion focused on the readiness of the local workforce to respond to crises and disasters, while another focused on leadership and control in emergency situations.
There were special sessions on the sidelines of the conference, addressing environmental protection issues and urban fires. Participants reviewed innovative solutions for tackling emerging challenges in this field, discussed the role of artificial intelligence in enhancing firefighting capabilities, and explored industrial fires and prevention strategies.
In a dedicated session, participants discussed occupational medicine and health, the importance of promoting fire safety culture, and reviewed issues related to crowd management and conducting investigations and studies concerning major incidents.
The conference was accompanied by an exhibition showing the latest innovations and advanced technologies in firefighting and crisis management. Leading global companies participated in the exhibition to display their products and technical solutions.
US and UK embassies host women’s health majlis in Riyadh
- Topics discussed include breast cancer awareness and the health challenges women face at every stage of their lives, from adolescence to menopause
- Event is latest monthly gathering organized by the US embassy to celebrate the experiences and accomplishments of women and encourage them to share expertise
RIYADH: The British and US embassies hosted a women’s majlis at the residence of the UK ambassador in Riyadh featuring a panel discussion and advice from doctors and other medical specialists.
“When we gather together as professionals in the industry, we share best practices,” Alison Dilworth, the deputy chief of mission at the US embassy, told Arab News.
“To be able to have that connection with other countries is invaluable, and the expertise on this panel was incredible. To see what is happening in Saudi Arabia in the field of women’s health was just extraordinary.”
The event was the latest in a series of monthly gatherings organized by the US embassy in partnership with other embassies in Saudi Arabia to celebrate the experiences and accomplishments of women, and encourage them to share their expertise in a private and relaxed setting. Previous gatherings explored topics such as literature, poetry, science and art.
The latest majlis focused on the mental and physical health of women and included a panel discussion featuring expert speakers Dr. Wafa Alkhayal, a breast and endocrine surgeon; Dr. Norah Alissa, a clinical psychologist; and Kathleen Stroia, senior vice president of performance health with the Women’s Tennis Association. It was chaired by Alice Burt, the UK’s deputy ambassador to the Kingdom.
“It is always so inspiring to get women together who are absolutely on top of their game,” Burt said. This is particularly important when considering women’s health, she continued, because “it helps us to identify the solutions and not just dwell on the problems.”
She added: “We are all very firm friends and I think it is in conversation with friends that you tend to come up with the best outcomes and have the most honest conversations, too.
“I was really struck by the openness and the honesty, and through that, in the spirit of friendship, how you can discuss the tough issues but get to the good outcomes, too.”
Specific topics that were discussed include breast cancer awareness and the importance of mammograms, and the health challenges women face at every stage of their lives, from adolescence to menopause.
Alissa, the clinical psychologist, offered some insights into the important need for people to make time for tranquility in their daily lives, and to perform a wellness checks through techniques such as meditation and breathing exercises.
“Find your moment of stillness in your busy day, even if it is just five minutes, any moment of stillness that can make you feel grounded in your busy day,” she told Arab News.
“We are overly stimulated by everything and we have to be on it all the time. Having that moment of stillness keeps you in check with your body and with your emotions and mind; you know that you are doing okay, and if you are not doing okay, what do I need to do to make myself get okay?”
The panel members also discussed the importance of looking after one’s health through good nutrition and detoxing, as well as building physical health and endurance through activities such as cardio exercises, tennis and pilates.
They highlighted the need to “invest in your future self by taking care of your needs,” and create a support network that helps to make you feel connected. It is also important that people know professional help is available and when to seek it.
“Therapy is not intervention-based it’s prevention-based as well,” Alissa said. “Therapy is for anyone at any time; it isn’t just when crises hit.”
Global AI competition aims to revolutionize Arabic language technology
- 3-day event in Riyadh ends on Saturday
RIYADH: The finals of the Allam Challenge are taking place in Riyadh, bringing together tech talent from 17 nations in an initiative to advance Arabic language technology, the Saudi Press Agency has reported.
The three-day event, which finishes on Saturday, is being hosted at Digital City’s Crowne Plaza and is a collaboration between the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority and the Saudi Federation for Cybersecurity, Programming and Drones, with technical support from IBM and the National Technology Development Program.
The challenge aims to develop AI models capable of composing and analyzing Arabic poetry; performing complex grammatical analysis; and creating engaging Arabic language learning tools for children, with a prize pool of SR1 million ($260,000).
Participants will be showcasing their capabilities in developing innovative solutions through the enhancement of large language models. They will benefit from training opportunities and workshops led by more than 50 mentors and 40 judges, and comprising AI experts and Arabic language specialists.
These experts will support participating teams and evaluate their projects according to criteria, ensuring the sustainability of solutions and their potential transformation into real-world AI projects serving the Arabic language across various sectors, the SPA added.
Saudi Quality of Life Program’s CEO stresses ‘people first’ approach
CAIRO: CEO of the Quality of Life Program Khalid bin Abdullah Al-Bakr has reaffirmed that the initiative places people at its heart.
This human-centered approach drives a range of projects across the Kingdom, aligned with the objectives of Vision 2030 to transform urban landscapes, elevate the quality of city services, and foster innovation through the adoption of modern technologies.
The statement was delivered during a dialogue session called “Putting People First in a Digital Era,” which was organized by the UN as part of the 12th World Urban Forum. The session featured the participation of experts and specialists from across the world.
Falcons club, NEOM in preservation drive
- The partnership is a major step in promoting the concept of sustainable falconry
- The Hadad program works to revitalize the habitat of peregrine falcons at the NEOM reserve
NEOM: The Saudi Falcons Club’s Hadad program has announced a strategic partnership with NEOM to improve falcons’ habitat in the NEOM Nature Reserve.
The partnership, which was signed during Hadad’s annual meeting hosted by NEOM on Thursday, is part of the second phase of the program, which focuses on protecting endangered species and reviving habitats by employing the latest international standards in wildlife conservation.
The partnership is a major step in promoting the concept of sustainable falconry by preserving cultural and environmental heritage while integrating ancient traditions with modern practices.
The Hadad program works to revitalize the habitat of peregrine falcons at the NEOM reserve and implement effective environmental measures to ensure the sustainability of the species.
The partnership reflects NEOM’s efforts to preserve 95 percent of its land for nature, set new international standards to preserve the environment, and rehabilitate wildlife through its reserve.
It also illustrates the Kingdom’s commitment to enhancing its global leadership position in sustainable development and environmental protection, in line with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030.
