‘Color Your Summer’ program reflects Saudi diversity, targets 41m visitors
‘Color Your Summer’ program reflects Saudi diversity, targets 41m visitors/node/2605283/saudi-arabia
‘Color Your Summer’ program reflects Saudi diversity, targets 41m visitors
The Saudi Tourism Authority, in partnership with Jazeera Airways, has announced the launch of direct flights between Kuwait and Asir region, starting July 15 and continuing through the end of September. The flights will operate three times per week. (SPA)
‘Color Your Summer’ program reflects Saudi diversity, targets 41m visitors
Updated 21 June 2025
Arab News
The Saudi Tourism Authority has launched “Color Your Summer,” a program showcasing Saudi Arabia’s natural and cultural diversity, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday. The initiative will run until the end of September.
Activities will be hosted in six main destinations “that blend the sea and mountains and merge adventure with relaxation.”
The STA expects the program to attract more than 41 million visitors from inside and outside the Kingdom this year, with projected tourism spending surpassing SR73 billion ($19.47 billion).
Asir will host its Summer Season, featuring “a rich array of musical, artistic, and cultural events such as Al-Muftaha Village and the Plato Event,” as well as “adventure trails and outdoor activities amid lofty mountains and pleasant weather, while the region’s ancient stone houses evoke a rich cultural memory, adding an authentic touch for visitors.”
The STA, in partnership with Jazeera Airways, recently announced that direct flights from Kuwait to Asir will be available three times a week from July 15 until the end of September, strengthening the airline’s presence in the Saudi market and supporting the authority’s efforts to promote various summer destinations in the Kingdom.
Meanwhile, Riyadh will make its mark this summer by hosting the second Esports World Cup from July 8 to Aug. 24, which is set to attract visitors from around the world. “The city is also a hub for artistic and cultural events and a variety of entertainment shows throughout the summer,” the SPA stated.
Jeddah will be welcoming visitors with new beaches and luxury resorts this summer, and its diverse selection of marine activities and “relaxation events” make it “the right place for family and water sports enthusiasts alike,” the SPA wrote, adding: “Visitors can explore City Walk and circus performances at Circus 1903.”
Sheybarah and Ummahat islands will also be featured as part of the Kingdom’s luxury tourism network. “With their white sandy beaches, crystal-clear waters, and colorful coral reefs, the islands add a maritime adventure to the portfolio of the Kingdom’s destinations,” the SPA stated.
Taif will greet its summer visitors this year with “refreshing mountain breezes and the fragrant blooms of Taif roses in Arruddaf Park, nestled between traditional markets and lush orchards,” according to the SPA. “Meanwhile, Al-Shafa and Al-Hada mountains cast a magical misty aura, providing experiences for adventure and culture enthusiasts steeped in the city’s rich heritage and history.”
And in Baha, visitors will encounter “stunning natural beauty from the heights of the mountains to the depths of the valleys in Raghadan Forest.”
Saudi Shoura Council members visit Turkish parliament
Updated 6 sec ago
Arab News
ANKARA: Members of the Saudi-Turkish Parliamentary Friendship Committee of the Saudi Shoura Council met with their counterparts from Turkiye during a visit to the country.
During the meeting, held in Ankara, the two sides reviewed ways to further boost their relations and discussed other topics of common interest.
The Saudi delegation also met with Numan Kurtulmus, president of the Turkish Grand National Assembly.
How AI is transforming Saudi businesses, from homegrown startups to global creative agencies
Small business owners are using smart tools to automate tasks like bookkeeping, customer service, and content creation with minimal resources
Platforms like Salla and QuickBooks help entrepreneurs manage online stores, financials, and logistics, saving time and boosting efficiency
Updated 8 min 16 sec ago
Rahaf Jambi
RIYADH: Artificial intelligence is revolutionizing the landscape for small businesses, offering innovative solutions that enhance efficiency, creativity, and competitiveness. As technology evolves, many entrepreneurs are leveraging AI tools to streamline operations and drive growth.
One of the most significant advantages of AI is its ability to automate repetitive tasks. Tools like chatbots can handle customer inquiries around the clock, freeing up valuable time for business owners to focus on strategic initiatives.
This not only improves customer service but also enhances overall efficiency.
AI-powered analytics platforms can process vast amounts of data, providing actionable insights that help businesses make informed decisions based on market trends and consumer behavior.
In this dynamic environment, AI is transforming small business operations.
A notable example is Hams Nabeel, a working mother who founded her business, Thikra, to preserve cherished memories for families.
“There was a clear need for my business idea,” she told Arab News. “Since I had my daughter, I wanted to preserve her hospital items — like her hat, blanket, and hand bracelet — all in one place.”
AI has become crucial in Nabeel’s entrepreneurial journey, streamlining various aspects of her operations. “ChatGPT helped me expand my business by crafting a clear structural plan,” she said.
What typically took weeks can now be accomplished in minutes, providing clarity when she faced uncertainties.
AI also assisted Nabeel in comparing 3D printers and defining her business’s vision. “AI guided me in crafting my mission and vision and even generated social media posts,” she said.
For financial management, she relies on QuickBooks, which automates tasks and offers valuable insights. Furthermore, Nabeel uses Salla, a website creation tool that simplifies online store management.
“Creating a business is so easy with Salla,” she said, allowing her to focus on creativity rather than technical details.
Screenshot of a page in the AI-enabled powered Salla platform.
In creative sectors, AI tools are essential for content creation and design. From generating social media posts to developing marketing materials, AI helps small business owners maintain a robust online presence without extensive resources.
“We have traditionally always been creatives before tech developers, but with AI it is now enabling us to combine both,” Denis Bodart, who operates a creative animation agency called Feed Me Light in London and Riyadh, told Arab News.
“We are now building more creative tools and AI products, including a new SaaS (Software as a Service) platform focused on the out-of-home advertising sector, which allows us to dynamically display content on various screens at once.
“Imagine walking through a city filled with screens that communicate and showcase engaging, interactive content. For example, the displays can respond to the latest football or esports results, presenting teams in an exciting manner.
“They can also adapt to weather conditions and customize their content based on audience presence in events, venues, and shops.”
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Bodart highlighted how AI agents support his team. “By training AI agents to understand our business more, we can use these agents to help support our teams, providing a helping hand with more repetitive tasks such as receipts, bookings, data fetching, or even helping enhance our marketing and sales teams, amplifying our business’s online presence.”
He added: “For Saudi Arabia, the strategic integration of AI holds immense potential to create a truly transformative and positive impact on how they approach upcoming global events such as the Winter Olympics, Asian Cup, and World Cup events.
“This technology can significantly elevate fan engagement, optimize operations, and craft unparalleled experiences, setting new benchmarks for global sporting events hosted in the Kingdom.”
Denis Bodart, who runs a creative animation agency called Feed Me Light in London and Riyadh, says AI helps small business owners maintain a robust online presence without extensive resources. (Supplied)
Integrating AI allows small businesses to provide seamless customer experiences. Automating processes like order management and payment processing enhances customer satisfaction and loyalty.
“AI has completely changed the game for small creators like me,” Salwa Beauty, a prominent social media influencer in Saudi Arabia, told Arab News. “It’s like having a full creative team in your pocket.”
Salwa utilizes AI to generate content ideas, animate scenes, write captions, and redesign photos — tasks that once required extensive time and resources.
For her fitness content, Salwa has eliminated the need for models or physical products. “I can animate people, create scenes, and even showcase products being used — all without hiring anyone or incurring upfront costs,” she said.
This capability allows her to build a complete brand presence independently, showcasing the democratizing power of AI.
The freedom AI provides is substantial for small businesses. By enabling entrepreneurs to launch ideas, test visuals, and create professional content quickly and affordably, AI empowers them to stand out in a crowded market.
“AI is literally my assistant now,” said Salwa.
AI also reduces costs associated with traditional modeling. Additionally, AI facilitates content creation and scheduling, allowing businesses to maintain a consistent online presence effortlessly.
Platforms like Salla and Zid are enhancing the landscape for small businesses in Saudi Arabia. These platforms leverage AI to optimize customer interactions, enabling efficient order scheduling, carrier connections, and targeted marketing messages based on customer data.
Screenshot of a page in the AI-enabled Zid platform.
Such features not only save time but also enhance the overall customer experience.
AI has emerged as an invaluable asset for small businesses, offering innovative solutions that enhance productivity, creativity, and financial management. Integrating AI tools can significantly transform the entrepreneurial journey, enabling working mothers and small creators to thrive in today’s competitive market.
With AI as a partner, the possibilities for growth and success are limitless. As small businesses in Saudi Arabia continue to embrace these technologies, they open the door to a future where creativity and efficiency flourish, paving the way for new ideas and opportunities.
AI is a powerful ally for small businesses, empowering them to optimize operations, enhance marketing efforts, and improve customer experiences. As more entrepreneurs embrace these technologies, the potential for growth and innovation continues to expand.
Prabowo Subianto is on his first official trip to Saudi Arabia since taking office
Trade between the two countries over the past five years stands at about $31.5 billion
Updated 03 July 2025
Arab News
MAKKAH: Indonesia’s President Prabowo Subianto performed Umrah on Wednesday.
He was received on arrival at the Grand Mosque in Makkah by several officials, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Prabowo was on his first official trip to Saudi Arabia since taking office.
The two countries have signed agreements worth about $27 billion between private sector institutions in several sectors, including clean energy and petrochemicals.
The two sides have also agreed to bolster cooperation in the provision of crude oil and its derivatives, improve energy supply chains and strengthen cooperation in mineral resources, the SPA reported.
Trade between the two countries over the past five years stands at about $31.5 billion.
