A strategic partnership aims to make Saudi Arabia a top global destination

Special A new partnership aims to amplify Saudi tourism experience for leisure travelers using Emirates’ global network. (AFP/File Photos)
A new partnership aims to amplify Saudi tourism experience for leisure travelers using Emirates’ global network. (AFP/File Photos)
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Updated 26 April 2022

A strategic partnership aims to make Saudi Arabia a top global destination

A new partnership aims to amplify Saudi tourism experience for leisure travelers using Emirates’ global network. (AFP/File Photos)
  • Saudi Tourism Authority seeks to amplify tourism experience for travelers using Emirates’ global network
  • Emirates runs 53 flights per week to its four Saudi gateways: Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam and Madinah

DUBAI: After taking the landmark step in 2019 to open its doors to international tourism as part of a strategy to diversify its economy, Saudi Arabia is now fast-tracking measures to streamline its air connectivity network, making it faster and cheaper to visit the Kingdom.

A recently signed agreement between the Saudi Tourism Authority (STA) and Emirates, one of the biggest commercial carriers in the world, promises to boost the number of international travelers opting to vacation in the Kingdom, while benefiting both economies.

A memorandum of understanding, signed by the two organizations in February, is expected to add further impetus to Saudi tourism infrastructure projects, from NEOM’s futuristic Trojena ski resort to the heritage trails of AlUla and the entertainment city of Qiddiya in Riyadh.

Describing Saudi Arabia as “one of our most important markets in the region,” Adil Al-Ghaith, Emirates’ senior vice president for commercial operations in the Gulf, Middle East and Central Asia, said the deal will help the Kingdom realize its goal of becoming a top global destination.




A rendering of the city of NEOM, one of the mega projects currently under construction in Saudi Arabia. (Supplied)

“Saudi Arabia is undergoing a major transformation, which includes a pipeline of unique projects that will help position it as one of the world’s most attractive tourism destinations, and help tell its story to the world,” Al-Ghaith told Arab News.

“We’re already seeing interest among travelers who are eager to experience the Kingdom’s spectacular landscapes, hugely diverse sea and terrains, and rich culture and history.”

As part of the MoU, the STA and Emirates will work jointly to promote the Kingdom’s major attractions, with a view to making Saudi Arabia a key market in its global network of almost 130 routes.

The partners will also share data insights on traveler trends and booking behaviors, which will enable the STA to “finetune their strategies to effectively market the destination in key pockets around the globe,” said Al-Ghaith.

The Dubai-based airline already runs 53 flights per week to its four Saudi gateways, namely Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam and Madinah.

Using its vast air connectivity network, Emirates will enhance inbound tourism in Saudi Arabia by tapping into new, previously underserved segments of the traveler market.




The primary aim is to boost tourism into Saudi Arabia and attract travelers from across Emirates’ network. (AFP/File Photo)

“The memorandum will enable us to reach over 120 destinations around the world and attract tourists from these destinations to various Saudi destinations,” said Fahd Hamidaddin, CEO and board member of the Saudi Tourism Authority, after the signing of the MoU.

Omar Akbar, a tourism expert and CEO of Zamzam.com, a B2B booking search engine that caters for Umrah pilgrims, believes the STA-Emirates deal will help pave the way for “important partnerships to achieve the goals and aspirations of the Saudi tourism ecosystem, which is in harmony with Vision 2030.”

The Vision 2030 reform agenda was launched by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in 2017 to diversify the Kingdom’s economy away from oil by bolstering a host of other industries, including tourism.

Historically, most of Saudi Arabia’s revenues in this regard have come from religious tourism. Almost 20 percent of the Kingdom’s GDP from non-oil sources in 2019 — amounting to some $12 billion — came from Hajj and Umrah pilgrims to the holy sites in Makkah and Madinah.

The travel industry, including those agencies specifically serving religious tourists, were badly hit by the movement restrictions imposed by governments in 2020-21 owing to the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, with the easing of restrictions, the market appears to be improving.




The ancient Nabataean site of Hegra, near AlUla, is a key tourist destination in Saudi Arabia. (AFP)

“I am very much sure this sector will pick the traffic back to normal in no time,” Akbar told Arab News. Indeed, the number of Umrah pilgrims this year has been close to those of pre-pandemic times.

By 2030, the Kingdom wants tourism to contribute around 10 percent to its GDP, to attract 100 million annual visits to its major attractions (45 million domestic travelers and 55 million inbound tourists), and to create 1 million additional jobs.

The first big step toward achieving this goal came in 2019 when the Kingdom launched the Saudi eVisa, which made it much easier for foreign visitors to arrange travel documentation online.

“The eVisa facility has largely contributed to attracting many visitors and this has added value in achieving the growing number of visitors as an objective of Vision 2030,” said Akbar.

FASTFACTS

* The STA-Emirates MoU was signed on Feb. 17, 2022. 

* The primary aim is to boost tourism into Saudi Arabia and attract travelers from across Emirates’ network. 

* A secondary aim is to cultivate a supportive infrastructure for those journeying to Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam and Medina.

To raise the number of visitors, the STA has orchestrated a global marketing campaign to promote the Kingdom’s latest luxury travel developments and its little-known heritage gems.

From advertising campaigns and trade shows to organizing trips for the global press, travel agents and social media influencers, the Kingdom is pulling out all the stops to improve visitor numbers.

“There is no other country in the world that is investing so much money now to showcase its attractions,” Daniel Ponzo, managing director of the Jeddah-based Zahid Travel Group, told Arab News.

Moreover, the STA has partnered with the tourism ministries of countries in Southeast Asia, South Asia and Europe, among other regions, to establish a shared agenda in the promotion and preservation of heritage and culture.

Meanwhile, a raft of projects are underway across Saudi Arabia to provide the required accommodation, transport links and attractions “to make the destination one of the most beautiful in the world,” said Ponzo.




A raft of projects are underway across Saudi Arabia to provide the required accommodation, transport links and attractions “to make the destination one of the most beautiful in the world.” (AFP)

Perhaps chief among the Kingdom’s attractions is AlUla, a region in the northwest famous for its beautiful desert landscape as well as its historical, geological and geographical significance.

Upon completion in 2035, the project aims to create 38,000 new jobs, attract 2 million visitors a year, expand the area’s population to 130,000, contributing $32 billion to the Kingdom’s economy. Over $2 billion has already been invested in the project, and $3.2 billion is being spent on priority infrastructure.

There is also the new destination of NEOM, the Kingdom’s first smart city now taking shape on the Red Sea coast, where authorities intend to offer 45,000 rooms by 2030.

“And then there is one of the very extraordinary projects like the Red Sea Development,” said Ponzo. “By 2030, approximately 22 islands will be developed with 48 resorts. And, by 2023, five islands will be developed with 16 resorts with approximately 3,000 rooms.




A new MoU signed between Emirates and the Saudi Tourism Authority, above, should see visitor numbers to the Kingdom increase. (AFP)

“You can see huge developments. It is just amazing what is happening in Saudi Arabia, since 2018 and 2019, when the country decided to open its doors to tourism.”

By adding Saudi Arabia to the regional itineraries of travel agencies and expanding transport options, experts say the entire Gulf Cooperation Council area stands to benefit.

“I think it is a great idea, and the region as a whole is heading in the same direction,” said Akbar.

“With the anticipated connectivity between the GCC countries through different means of transportation, this shall foster and enable tourists to explore Middle Eastern culture in a short span of time.”

Incidentally, as part of its economic reforms, the Saudi government last year announced plans to become a global transportation and logistics hub by 2030, targeting passenger traffic of 330 million a year.

To this end, a new airline will be set up, to be based in Riyadh, while flag carrier Saudia will be based out of Jeddah under a transportation strategy that calls for the establishment of two hubs.

Saudi Arabia’s main aim is to increase the number of arrivals to the Kingdom, Mohammed Alkhuraisi, head of strategy at the General Authority of Civil Aviation, told Reuters recently. “We are not after the transit market.”

The general consensus is that Saudi Arabia’s opening up to the world has given the entire region a chance to reshape its international image and reap rich economic rewards.

“We can already see there are travelers interested in combining and visiting two or three countries in the region. The Dubai+ combination is very much requested,” said Ponzo.

“With the World Cup in Qatar in 2022, some of the travelers who will go to Qatar will combine Qatar and Saudi Arabia as a travel combination.”

Looking at the long-term picture, he said: “With Saudi Arabia now on the map of new destinations in the region to visit, probably on the bucket list of maybe millions of travelers, it will be a fantastic boost to the region.”

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Doctor advises on how to stay healthy during Ramadan

Doctor advises on how to stay healthy during Ramadan
Updated 28 March 2023

Doctor advises on how to stay healthy during Ramadan

Doctor advises on how to stay healthy during Ramadan
  • Water, proteins, sleep, exercise key, says physician
  • Avoid calorie-dense juices, smoothies, ice cream

RIYADH: When fasting from dawn to dusk during the holy month of Ramadan many people can overlook the importance of a well-rounded diet and either overeat or fail to ingest enough nutrients for the day.

Dr. Mohammed Baker Alawamy, a consultant adult gastroenterologist and therapeutic endoscopist from Johns Hopkins Aramco Healthcare, highlighted several ways of keeping healthy this Ramadan through diet and exercise.

“Drink ample amounts of water, try to limit the amount of refined sugars in your diet, and be cognizant (of) the amount of protein you consume,” Alawamy said.

Eating proper nutrition — such as a Mediterranean diet — staying hydrated and getting enough sleep can nurture the body during Ramadan and harness the benefits of fasting. (Shutterstock)

Many people find themselves overeating during the month of Ramadan while others complain of weight loss due to having a lower caloric intake. The ideal wellness goal while fasting is finding the right balance that provides the body with proper nutrition to complete the fast.

“My rule of thumb is 1 gram of protein for each kilogram of body weight to reduce the muscle losses during the fasting month of Ramadan,” Alawamy said.

HIGHLIGHT

The ideal wellness goal while fasting is finding the right balance that provides the body with proper nutrition to complete the fast. Many people have their sleep disrupted because of the tradition of spending late nights with family and friends. Maintaining proper sleep is also important in Ramadan.

The holy month of Ramadan is one of the best times to create a reset for the body with changes in habits including avoiding unhealthy food.

When choosing the right sahoor or iftar drink to consume, many people choose smoothies believing that it is a healthy option that will satisfy their hunger throughout the day.

Eating proper nutrition — such as a Mediterranean diet — staying hydrated and getting enough sleep can nurture the body during Ramadan and harness the benefits of fasting. (Shutterstock)

“What I usually tell my patients, the worst kind of calorie you can consume is one that is easily absorbed, does not satisfy your hunger, and is calorie dense,” Alawamy said.

Alawamy explained that most of these calorie-dense foods include juices, smoothies and ice cream.

“Obviously, you can make smoothies that are balanced and nutritionally excellent, but most people use frozen fruits, add sugar or ice cream, and do not include much fiber in that mix,” he said.

High fiber, balanced diets such as the Mediterranean diet have been shown to affect health positively. (Supplied)

When asked about what “gut-healthy” foods people should make a part of their Ramadan routine, Alawamy explained that he has some reservations about the term gut healthy since it is “always misconstrued or misrepresented.”

“It is always best to stick to the basics. High fiber, balanced diets such as the Mediterranean diet have been shown to affect health positively,” he explained.

Many medical experts suggest avoiding eating processed foods and relying on nutritional options such as fresh fruits and vegetables and snacks such as nuts.

Diet and exercise are two ways to stay healthy this Ramadan. (Shutterstock)

“Nuts contain a significant amount of polyunsaturated fats, which are healthy and help reduce the (craving) for other less nutritious foods,” the doctor said.

When the month of Ramadan begins many stop exercising completely, but Alawamy says it is a great time to do light workouts.

“It (Ramadan) is an excellent opportunity for most people to do low-intensity level exercises, for example, normal pace walking or brisk walking as well as stretching and yoga,” he said.

People can even engage in high-intensity exercise after breaking their fast, he said.

Maintaining proper sleep is also important in Ramadan. In many parts of the world, many have their sleep disrupted because of the tradition of spending late nights with family and friends.

Some people use Ramadan as a time to be drastically reduce food intake but losing weight too quickly can potentially be harmful to the body. Therefore, it is important to find a certain balance when it comes to the quality and quantity of the foods consumed, ways of staying active and regulating the body’s sleeping schedule.

When trying to find a healthy Ramadan routine that suits your individual needs and health requirements one can feel overwhelmed by the different voices and opinions online. It is always best to do thorough research and contact a trusted physician for advice.

 


Saudi minister meets French envoy in Riyadh

Dr. Abdulrahman Al-Rassi meets with Ludovic Pouille in Riyadh. (Supplied)
Dr. Abdulrahman Al-Rassi meets with Ludovic Pouille in Riyadh. (Supplied)
Updated 15 min 21 sec ago

Saudi minister meets French envoy in Riyadh

Dr. Abdulrahman Al-Rassi meets with Ludovic Pouille in Riyadh. (Supplied)
  • They reviewed bilateral relations and discussed developments of common interests

RIYADH: Saudi Deputy Minister for International Multilateral Affairs Dr. Abdulrahman Al-Rassi met Ambassador of France to the Kingdom Ludovic Pouille in Riyadh on Tuesday.

During the meeting, they reviewed bilateral relations and discussed developments of common interests.

In another meeting, the Saudi minister held talks in Riyadh with Nahid Hussein, the resident representative of the UN Development Programme for the Kingdom.

During the meeting, they reviewed relations between the Kingdom and the UN and aspects of cooperation.

 

 


Who’s Who: Dr. Sharifah Abdullah Al-Rajhi, acting deputy minister at the Ministry of Education

Dr. Sharifah Abdullah Al-Rajhi
Dr. Sharifah Abdullah Al-Rajhi
Updated 27 min 55 sec ago

Who’s Who: Dr. Sharifah Abdullah Al-Rajhi, acting deputy minister at the Ministry of Education

Dr. Sharifah Abdullah Al-Rajhi

Dr. Sharifah Abdullah Al-Rajhi has been the acting deputy minister for planning and development at the Ministry of Education since 2022.

She is responsible for developing strategic and operational plans for the ministry, producing its institutional performance, building and managing informational statistical reports, and proposing necessary changes in educational policies based on research.

Prior to her current role, Al-Rajhi served as assistant deputy minister for planning and development and general manager for the education statistics center at the Ministry of Education.

Her main target involved transforming the Ministry of Education to become more data-driven and enhancing the quality of education in alignment with Vision 2030. She designed and managed two major initiatives, involving managing and sharing education data, for a Vision 2030 human capability development program.

Al-Rajhi made several strategic decisions based on accurate and dynamic data across the Kingdom’s education sector. Her achievements include providing national and international organizations with statistics and indicators from the sector and working on multiple projects within the ministry, including capacity and demand management and the educational performance portal, Qarar.

Al-Rajhi also worked at King Abdulaziz University in Jeddah and Florida State University in the US and served as a member of multiple committees at the Saudi Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Economy and Planning and the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development.

She was also a part of the executive committee of the UN E-Government Development Index at the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology.

At the General Authority for Statistics, she was a member of the executive and steering committee for Census 2020.

Al-Rajhi received a Ph.D. in data science and two master’s degrees in biostatistics and applied statistics from Florida State University. She was certified in SAS programming and data analysis from the same university in the US.

 


Saudi interior minister, UK Home Secretary sign raft of agreements at meeting in London

Saudi interior minister, UK Home Secretary sign raft of agreements at meeting in London
Updated 28 March 2023

Saudi interior minister, UK Home Secretary sign raft of agreements at meeting in London

Saudi interior minister, UK Home Secretary sign raft of agreements at meeting in London
  • The session saw the signing of several agreements in the security, development and training fields

LONDON: Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud, the Saudi Minister of the Interior, met with the UK Home Secretary Suella Braverman in London on Tuesday.

Prince Abdulaziz thanked the British Home Secretary for hosting the meeting, which reflected the common desire to boost the strategic and historical ties between the two countries.

The prince stressed that the Saudi government valued and appreciated the existing security cooperation, referring to the ongoing security coordination between the two countries' ministries of interior.

During the session, the two sides discussed ways to strengthen and develop the courses of joint security cooperation.

The session saw the signing of several agreements in the security, development and training fields between the Ministry of the Interior of Saudi Arabia and the UK Home Office.

The session was attended by Prince Khaled bin Bandar, Saudi Ambassador to the UK, the undersecretary of the Saudi Ministry of Interior Hisham bin Abdulrahman Al-Falih, and a number of officials from the two countries.


Saudi Arabia launches iftar programs in Kenya, Senegal

Some 10 tons of dates are to be distributed, while the iftar program for Muslims will reach more than 15,000 people. (SPA)
Some 10 tons of dates are to be distributed, while the iftar program for Muslims will reach more than 15,000 people. (SPA)
Updated 8 sec ago

Saudi Arabia launches iftar programs in Kenya, Senegal

Some 10 tons of dates are to be distributed, while the iftar program for Muslims will reach more than 15,000 people. (SPA)
  • Al-Faridi praised the ministry’s efforts on behalf of Muslims worldwide, especially during the holy month of Ramadan, expressing gratitude to King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for their support

RIYADH: The Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance, in cooperation with the Kingdom’s embassies, is extending the King Salman program that has seen the distribution of food to needy people in 60 countries around the globe.
The religious attache at the Saudi Embassy in Kenya inaugurated the dates and iftar distribution project, with Nasser bin Mohammad Al-Faridi, Saudi deputy ambassador to the country, and other key officials attending the event.
Al-Faridi praised the ministry’s efforts on behalf of Muslims worldwide, especially during the holy month of Ramadan, expressing gratitude to King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for their support.
Some 10 tons of dates are to be distributed, while the iftar program for Muslims will reach more than 15,000 people.
The Islamic Higher Institute, in the Louga region of Senegal, has also initiated the iftar project.
The religious attache at the Saudi Embassy in Senegal, Sheikh Wahid bin Mohammad Majribi, commended the government of the Kingdom
for providing aid and support to Islam and Muslims, and praised the ministry’s professional manner in selecting beneficiaries for the program.