TBILISI: Saudi Minister of Tourism Ahmed Al-Khateeb emphasized on Friday the importance of connectivity, sustainability manpower and the challenges of “overtourism.”
He was speaking during the World Tourism Day celebrations in Tbilisi, Georgia, on Friday.
One of the main issues facing tourism, Al-Khateeb said, is sustainability, which is vital for the country’s economy, job creation and inclusion.
“We look at sustainability in Saudi Arabia from three angles: from social, economic and environmental perspectives,” he said.
“We were hit hard by COVID-19, especially small and medium enterprises, and we learned the hard way.”
Al-Khateeb hopes that the 80 percent of small and medium enterprises contributing to the Kingdom’s industry and the 45 percent of women working in the sector will not suffer due to any future crisis.
The minister stressed the importance of creating policies that would help smaller countries in the sector and at the same time protect their nature and heritage.
The minister also highlighted the importance of environmental sustainability and how Saudi Arabia has established the well-funded Global Tourism Sustainability Center.
He said: “Eighty percent of people in the workforce in our industry are youth. We need to hire the youth.”
According to Al-Khateeb, the international tourism industry accounts for about 10 percent of the global economy and is expected to increase to about 20 percent by 2032.
“In 2019, tourism used to represent only 3 percent of Saudi economy. Today, it has reached 5 percent. And our target is to make it reach 10 percent by 2030,” he said.
“Last year, we received 27 million international arrivals to Saudi Arabia. In 2019, they were only 12 million.”
Saudi tourism minister highlights challenges facing sector
https://arab.news/v7f3x
Saudi tourism minister highlights challenges facing sector
- One of the main issues facing tourism, Al-Khateeb said, is sustainability, which is vital for the country’s economy, job creation and inclusion
- “We look at sustainability in Saudi Arabia from three angles: from social, economic and environmental perspectives”
Madinah deputy governor receives Indian minister
Madinah Region Deputy Gov. Prince Saud bin Khalid bin Faisal recently met Indian Union Minister for Minority Affairs and Parliamentary Affairs Shri Kiren Rijiju during his official visit to the Kingdom.
During the meeting, the two sides discussed arrangements for Indian Hajj pilgrims during their stay in Madinah, India’s Ministry of Minority Affairs said in an official statement.
Rijiju also visited the Hajj Terminals at the Jeddah and Madinah airports, and reviewed the facilities available for the arrival and departure of pilgrims as well as baggage handling.
International conference celebrates the camel as a pillar of Arab culture
- Scholars highlight the camel’s role in Arab history and the Arabic language
- Experts from Saudi Arabia and abroad gather in Riyadh
RIYADH: Scholars at a Riyadh conference this week underscored the fundamental role the camel has played in shaping Arab heritage, emphasizing the profound link between camels and the Arabic language.
King Saud University, in partnership with the King Salman Global Academy for Arabic Language, is hosting the Fifth International Conference, titled “Camels in Arab Culture,” which ends on Thursday.
Prominent scholars and specialists from Saudi Arabia and abroad are participating in the conference, which is exploring key topics related to camels, including heritage, history and geography, and archaeological findings.
Hajed Al-Harbi, conference chairman, said: “Honoring camels is a tribute to our deep-rooted values and rich heritage, reflecting our pride in our origins and historical legacy.”
Ibrahim Al-Furaih, conference secretary, told Arab News how the conference underscores the central role camels have played in shaping Arabic literature and intellectual thought throughout history.
“Camels are a fundamental element of our national identity and Arab culture, with a significant presence in our heritage.
“Whether through literature, poetry, inscriptions, or the daily life of early Arabs, they have left an indelible mark. Their influence endures, continuing to shape the lives of Arabs to this day,” Al-Furaih said.
Bedoor Al-Fassam, chair of the public relations committee for the conference, said organizers spent months preparing for the event.
Dr. Al-Fassam, who is also an assistant professor of literature and criticism in the Arabic language department at the university, confirmed that conference participation requests exceeded 300, from which 40 research papers were selected. The submitted papers covered a wide range of fields, including literary, linguistic, historical, and social studies, in addition to anthropology research.
Alongside participants from Saudi universities, the conference features academics from Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, Syria, Lebanon, Egypt, Algeria, Morocco and Canada.
The attendees discussed the definition of camels in language and lexicography, as well as their effect on cultural and national identity.
Additionally, they explored the role of camels in Arabic poetry, narrative storytelling and biographies, highlighting their significance in other literatures and cultures.
The conference further delved into the role of camels in the national economy, addressing sectors such as investment, tourism, and entertainment, in addition to camel festivals, sports and racing events.
Saudi ministry records 7,521 tourism violations
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Tourism revealed the results of its third-quarter 2024 inspections, involving 9,655 checks on hospitality facilities and tourism activities across the Kingdom.
During the period, 7,521 violations were identified and 11,494 complaints were addressed, according to the Saudi Press Agency.
Common violations included operating without a license, poor cleanliness, failure to meet licensing conditions and non-compliance by facility representatives.
Makkah had the highest number of inspections with more than 3,600, followed by Riyadh with more than 1,350, Madinah with over 1,100 and the Eastern Province with more than 1,070. The remaining regions accounted for more than 2,500 inspections.
These efforts aim to enhance the tourism sector’s sustainability, ensure compliance with regulations, improve service quality and boost visitor experiences.
Saudi Arabia welcomes ceasefire agreement in Gaza
- Kingdom stresses need for adherence to the deal, end to aggression against Gaza, and withdrawal of all Israeli forces from the occupied territories
RIYADH: Saudi authorities welcomed the announcement of a Gaza ceasefire agreement on Wednesday and expressed the Kingdom’s appreciation for the efforts of mediators from Qatar, Egypt and the US.
The Kingdom stressed the need for adherence to the deal, an end to Israel’s aggression against Gaza, and the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from the territory and all other occupied Palestinian and Arab lands.
It also highlighted the importance of building on the agreement by addressing the underlying reasons for the conflict and enabling the Palestinian people to secure their rights, the foremost of which is the establishment of an independent Palestinian state based on 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.
Saudi Arabia expressed hope that the ceasefire deal would mark a permanent end to a brutal Israeli war that claimed the lives of more than 45,000 Palestinians and wounded more than 100,000.
