ABHA: The Saudi Ministry of Tourism recorded more than 350 violations during its inspection tours of hospitality facilities in the Asir region, closing 40 of them.
It addressed about 270 complaints regarding the services provided in facilities such as hotels and serviced apartments, as part of the Our Guests Are A Priority campaign during the first quarter of 2024.
The ministry’s supervisory teams conducted about 650 supervisory and inspection tours of hospitality facilities.
The tours were part of ongoing efforts to enhance the tourism sector in all regions of the Kingdom, in addition to ensuring the quality of services provided by various types of hospitality facilities to visitors and tourists.
The ministry said it would impose the strictest penalties on those who engaged in activities before obtaining the necessary licenses. It also said it would not be lenient in imposing regulatory penalties on violators, the closure of the facility in question, or both penalties in some cases.
Saudi Ministry of Tourism closes 40 facilities in Asir region for various violations
https://arab.news/y8ame
Saudi Ministry of Tourism closes 40 facilities in Asir region for various violations
- Tourism operators had been warned of heavy penalties if they do business before obtaining the necessary licenses.
Regions celebrate Eid with cultural diversity and community engagement
- Cities across the Kingdom are hosting Eid Al-Fitr events that blend traditional cultural performances with modern entertainment
RIYADH: Municipalities across Saudi Arabia are hosting Eid Al-Fitr events that blend traditional cultural performances with modern entertainment.
In Hail, the celebrations have attracted visitors of all ages with activities including theatrical performances, the Ardah dance — inscribed on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2015 — and popular folklore shows.
Baha Municipality has distributed 3,000 gifts as part of its celebrations and organized 55 community events, including traditional performances, fireworks, family festivals and children’s theater.
Asir Municipality prepared over 470 parks and squares in preparation for Eid, hosting diverse cultural and recreational events, while in Abha, Eid Al-Basta festivities at the Heritage Village have featured traditional performances, boosting tourism and supporting local businesses.
Qassim’s celebrations have included folk arts, with audiences enjoying traditional chants and performances, and Al-Aan Palace in Najran has attracted visitors with its stunning views and unique architecture, offering insights into the region’s history and culture.
The Royal Commission for Makkah City and the Holy Sites organized programs at locations including the Hira Cultural District and Makkah Mall, drawing thousands of families.
Taif’s parks have also hosted a range of events, attracting over 200,000 attendees with cultural performances and spectacular fireworks.
Meanwhile, the Diriyah Gate Development Authority’s Eid celebrations included children’s games, calligraphy and more, bringing cheer to the historic district of At-Turaif and Bujairi Terrace.
Saudi publishers connect globally at Bologna fair
- CEO of the Literature, Publishing and Translation Commission said that the Kingdom’s involvement aims to showcase a range of programs
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia inaugurated its pavilion at the Bologna Children’s Book Fair, held from March 31 to April 3 at the BolognaFiere Exhibition Center in Bologna, Italy.
Abdullatif Al-Wasel, CEO of the Literature, Publishing and Translation Commission, said that the Kingdom’s involvement aims to showcase a range of programs, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
He added that these efforts focus on developing the publishing industry, fostering cultural engagement, supporting Saudi publishers and literary agents globally, and highlighting the Kingdom’s rich intellectual heritage and literary output.
Al-Wasel added that the fair provides a valuable platform for Saudi publishers to connect and exchange knowledge with international counterparts.
The Kingdom’s pavilion includes participation from cultural entities such as the King Salman Global Academy for Arabic Language, King Abdulaziz Public Library, King Fahd National Library and the Publishing Association.
The King Salman academy is showcasing its efforts to enhance the global presence of the Arabic language and support Arabic content in cultural and academic fields, the SPA reported.
The academy is presenting its latest publications, highlighting its contributions to linguistic and knowledge-based content development, as well as its projects in language planning, policy, computational linguistics, education and cultural initiatives.
KSrelief supports thousands in Sudan, Somalia, Lebanon
RIYADH: Saudi aid agency KSrelief has delivered thousands of food, clothing and shelter packages to some of the world’s most vulnerable people, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Tuesday.
In Sudan, KSrelief distributed 1,900 food baskets to vulnerable and displaced families in Ad-Damir, a city in River Nile State, benefiting 11,400 people.
In Somalia, the aid agency provided 500 clothing bags, 100 shelter kits and 70 tents in Hargeisa, aiding 4,020 people.
In Lebanon, KSrelief distributed 1,048 food baskets in Beirut and Arsal, assisting 5,240 individuals.
The efforts are part of Saudi Arabia’s ongoing humanitarian initiatives to support affected communities worldwide.
Since its launch in May 2015, KSrelief has implemented 3,389 projects worth nearly $7.9 billion in 106 countries, working with 309 local, regional, and international partners.
Dean of the Diplomatic Corps applauds Saudi Arabia for successful Umrah season
- More than 122 million visits to Islam’s holiest mosques during Ramadan
RIYADH: Dean of the Diplomatic Corps and Ambassador of Djibouti to Saudi Arabia Dya-Eddine Said Bamakhrama on Tuesday praised Saudi Arabia for its hosting of the Umrah season amid elaborate arrangements and assistance provided to worshipers in the holy cities.
Bamakhrama told Arab News: “I congratulate the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on the success of the Umrah season in the month of Ramadan, and the huge number visits to the Grand Mosque in Makkah and the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah.
“More than 122 million people, pilgrims, visitors and worshipers paid a visit during the holy month of Ramadan to the Two Holy Mosques. All of them performed their rituals and worship with humility and tranquility, amid cleanliness and safety. The movement of the masses was organized smoothly and securely,” said the envoy.
“All of this would not have been achieved without the grace and mercy of Allah, and then the keenness and interest of the government of Saudi Arabia in serving the Two Holy Mosques and the holy lands in the most perfect manner,” he added.
“I pray to Allah to perpetuate these efforts and bless them and those who all were involved in making it a successful Umrah season,” he said.
More than 122 million people visited Islam’s two holiest mosques in Saudi Arabia during the sacred Islamic month of Ramadan that ended on Saturday, with the Eid Al-Fitr celebration beginning Sunday.
A total of 122,286,712 visitors were received at the Grand Mosque in Makkah and the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah during Ramadan, the CEO of the General Authority for the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque, Ghazi Al-Shahrani, said.
Al-Shahrani added that the number of Umrah performers reached 16,558,241, while worshipers totaled 75,573,928 at the Grand Mosque and 30,154,543 at the Prophet’s Mosque.
He extended heartfelt congratulations to King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for their support for the Umrah season and on the occasion of Eid Al-Fitr.
Al-Shahrani also expressed his gratitude to all who contributed to serving the guests of Allah, praying that their efforts be rewarded.
Saudi study on human eye microbiome joins SpaceX launch
- The study by Falak for Space Science and Research will examine the eye’s bacteria and other microorganisms in conditions of microgravity
RIYADH: A Saudi mission to study the effects of low gravity on the microbiome of the human eye joined the launch of SpaceX’s Fram2 flight on Monday night.
The study by Falak for Space Science and Research will examine the eye’s bacteria and other microorganisms in conditions of microgravity.
A research team collected biological samples of microbial cultures and conducted tests to ensure that the samples could withstand launch conditions and return safely from space.
The project “will contribute to achieving qualitative progress in education and research in space and associated technologies,” Dr. Ayoub Al-Subehi, CEO of Falak, told the Saudi Press Agency ahead of the launch.
The study of the ocular microbiome in space is an emerging research field. This experiment will analyze the growth rates of the microorganisms in space compared to growth rates on Earth.
It will track the genetic and protein changes that may occur as a result of exposure to microgravity.
The experiment also aims to evaluate the ability of microbes to form biofilms, which may increase the risk of infection in space, as well as analyze changes in microbial resistance to antibiotics after exposure to microgravity.
Dr. Wedad bint Saeed Al-Qahtani, a research scientist in the mission, added: “Studying the impact of the space environment on the natural microflora of the eye could provide valuable data on how it responds to microgravity conditions, which could help develop new strategies and protocols to maintain eye health.”
Another one of the mission’s scientists, Prof. Salwa Al-Hazza, stressed the importance of ophthalmological research, saying: “What we are doing today is not limited to sending a scientific experiment into space, but is a fundamental step towards building a deeper understanding of the impact of the space environment on eye health, and we hope that the results will contribute to the development of future medical solutions that enhance eye health care, both in space and on Earth, proudly carrying this Saudi flag and representing an important step in the Kingdom’s commitment to innovate scientifically and enhance its growing role in the global space sector.”
This mission is part of global efforts to study the impact of space on human health and was preceded by similar research that dealt with the effect of microgravity on the intestinal and oral microbiomes.
