Saudi crown prince launches $13bn strategy to turn Asir into global tourism hub

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The crown prince’s strategy aims to turn Asir region into an international tourism hub, attracting 10 million visitors by 2030. (SPA)
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Asir province is located in Saudi Arabia’s southwestern region and along the Red Sea coast. (SPA)
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The crown prince’s strategy aims to turn Asir region into an international tourism hub, attracting 10 million visitors by 2030. (SPA)
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Asir shares a border with five other regions in the Kingdom and has an estimated population of more than 2.3 million people. (SPA)
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Asir province is located in Saudi Arabia’s southwestern region and along the Red Sea coast. (SPA)
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Updated 29 September 2021
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Saudi crown prince launches $13bn strategy to turn Asir into global tourism hub

  • Asir strategy to attract more than 10 million local and foreign visitors by 2030
  • Aims to make the region a year-round destination

JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has launched a SR50 billion ($13 billion) tourism strategy for Asir that aims to attract more than 10 million visitors from inside and outside the Kingdom by 2030.

The plan for the region, under the theme “The Arabian Highland,” aims to be a “comprehensive and unprecedented development renaissance for the region, by pumping 50 billion riyals through various investments,” Saudi Press Agency reported on Tuesday.

The investments include financing projects and developing tourist attractions on the peaks of Asir’s mountains to turn the province into a year-round destination.

The projects will rely on the area’s cultural and natural strengths that combine “authenticity and modernity,” and help advance social and economic growth in the region.

The crown prince, who is also chairman of the Council of Economic and Development Affairs, said the strategy aims to exploit the huge tourism potential in the region, including the geographical and natural diversity, and rich culture and heritage.




Asir shares a border with five other regions in the Kingdom and has an estimated population of more than 2.3 million people. (SPA)

The strategy seeks to attract local and foreign investments and help make tourism and culture major drivers of Asir’s economic development.

It will help provide new job opportunities, raise the quality of life, and upgrade basic services and infrastructure in the region.

Asir’s governor Prince Turki bin Talal bin Abdulaziz thanked the crown prince for his “continuous support and generous care for the Asir region and its people.”

The strategy was launched through joint work between the Development Authorities Support Office and the Asir Development Authority, in cooperation with the US-based Boston Consulting Group.
Discussions took place between local residents, experts and private sector companies to develop the general plans.
The region is located in the Kingdom’s southwest and extends 125 kilometers along the Red Sea coast.
It has an area of around 80,000 square kilometers and its highest mountain, Mount Sawda, is 3,015 meters above sea level. Asir shares a border with five other regions in the Kingdom and has an estimated population of more than 2.3 million people.
The region has two airports, including Abha International Airport, and two universities — King Khalid University and Bisha University.
King Khalid University is involved in the strategy due to its developmental and human importance.
The plans would see Abha airport expanded to handle 10 million passengers a year.


Saudi Arabia’s King Salman inaugurates Riyadh Metro project

Updated 20 sec ago
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Saudi Arabia’s King Salman inaugurates Riyadh Metro project

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s King Salman inaugurated the Riyadh Metro project on Wednesday.

 


Saudi teams shine at Formula 1 in Schools World Finals

Updated 30 min 31 sec ago
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Saudi teams shine at Formula 1 in Schools World Finals

  • Over 450 young innovators from around the globe join together for the event in Dhahran
  • Competitors worked in 55 teams to design, build and race miniature F1 cars on a 20-meter track

RIYADH: Three Saudi teams have scooped awards at the 2024 Aramco Formula 1 in Schools World Finals.

Over 450 students from gathered at Dhahran Expo from Nov. 23-26 for the competition, the first time it has been hosted in the Kingdom. The finalists emerged from an initial 29,000 schools worldwide.

The Clad team won the Enterprise Portfolio Award, while Oryx claimed Best Engineered Car and Shaheen took Best Application of Project Management.

Competitors worked in 55 teams to design, build and race miniature F1 cars on a 20-meter track. Those taking part were aged from nine to 19, one third of whom were female.

The competition reflects Aramco’s commitment to developing future leaders in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

The King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture, otherwise known as Ithra, oversaw the Saudi teams’ preparation during a nine-month training period. Led by 37 experts from six specialized centers, the program focused on engineering, design and teamwork.

It has become a key platform for developing Saudi Arabia’s next generation of scientific talent and putting innovation firmly on the global stage.

At the 2023 World Finals in Singapore, Saudi teams won the Innovative Thinking, Women in Motorsport and Identity awards.

The Aramco Formula 1 in Schools World Finals offer young innovators an opportunity to shape Saudi Arabia's future creative industries.

The program follows a unified curriculum covering physics, aerodynamics, design, manufacturing, branding, graphic design, sponsorship, marketing, leadership, teamwork, media skills and financial strategies.


Grand mufti of Saudi Arabia meets Pakistan’s Senate chair

Updated 17 min 45 sec ago
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Grand mufti of Saudi Arabia meets Pakistan’s Senate chair

  • Al-Sheikh highlights role of Council of Senior Scholars on Islamic issues
  • Council ‘keen to promote moderation and combat extremism in the region’

RIYADH: The Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia on Wednesday received the chairperson of Pakistan’s senate at the presidential headquarters in Riyadh.

Sheikh Abdulaziz Al-Sheikh met Yusuf Raza Gilani, who was accompanied by a delegation of members of the upper house in the Pakistani parliament.

Al-Sheikh, who is also chairperson of the Council of Senior Scholars, and president general of scientific research and ifta, highlighted the depth and distinguished brotherly Islamic relations between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

He highlighted the significant role the Council of Senior Scholars performs in the Kingdom to explain Shariah rulings about issues that concern Muslims. It has issued more than 30,000 fatwas and 200 rulings.

The council is keen to promote moderation and combat extremism in the region, he added.

He said that King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman continue to serve the Two Holy Mosques in Makkah and Madinah, ensuring that visitors and pilgrims receive appropriate services.

Gilani expressed his happiness to visit Saudi Arabia, noting the great role the Kingdom is playing through its leadership as well as the ties it has developed with Pakistan on various issues.

The meeting was attended by the secretary-general of the Council of Senior Scholars, Sheikh Fahd Al-Majed, and Shoura Council member Abdulrahman Al-Harbi.


New initiative to plant 60m seeds for sustainability

Updated 27 November 2024
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New initiative to plant 60m seeds for sustainability

  • NCVC CEO, Khaled Al-Abdulkader, outlined the initiative’s goal of dispersing 60 million seeds and cleaning floodplains throughout the governorate
  • Efforts are part of the broader National Greening Season, which aims to increase green spaces and address environmental challenges

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification has launched the Grow Impact initiative in Hafar Al-Batin governorate to encourage community participation in preserving and expanding vegetation cover, while promoting sustainability and environmental awareness.

The center’s CEO, Khaled Al-Abdulkader, outlined the initiative’s goal of dispersing 60 million seeds and cleaning floodplains throughout the governorate.

These efforts are part of the broader National Greening Season, which aims to increase green spaces and address environmental challenges, according to the Saudi Press Agency.

Al-Abdulkader described Grow Impact as a key step toward achieving sustainable development goals, restoring ecological balance, and enhancing biodiversity.

He said that the initiative also encourages environmental responsibility among individuals and communities.

The initiative aims to reduce waste in natural areas, protect plant and animal species from human activity, and combat desertification by inspiring communities to protect natural resources.

These goals align with Saudi Arabia’s vision for preserving the planet and its natural heritage, SPA reported.

The center continues its mission to develop and protect vegetation cover throughout the Kingdom, rehabilitating degraded areas, addressing violations, combating illegal logging, and overseeing rangelands, forests and national parks.


Thunderstorms forecast across Saudi Arabia until Sunday 

Updated 27 November 2024
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Thunderstorms forecast across Saudi Arabia until Sunday 

  • Makkah region is forecast light to moderate rain showers that could lead to flash floods
  • Asir and Jazan regions will also be affected by moderate to heavy showers

RIYADH: The General Directorate of Civil Defense has forecast thunderstorms in several regions across the Kingdom until Sunday.

Makkah region is forecast light to moderate rain showers that could lead to flash floods, hail and dust-stirring winds, reported the Saudi Press Agency, while moderate to heavy rain is expected in Riyadh region.

Asir and Jazan regions will also be affected by moderate to heavy showers, while the Qassim, Eastern and Baha regions will experience moderate rain. The regions of Madinah and Najran can expect light rain.

The directorate has urged people to exercise caution, avoid areas prone to flash flooding, and refrain from swimming in flooded areas.

Members of the public should follow media channels to keep themselves updated on the latest conditions.

Autumn in Saudi Arabia is typically rainy, with rapid weather changes providing relief from the heat, according to the National Center for Meteorology.