Diriyah showcases Saudi heritage at Chinese UNESCO site

Diriyah Company is showcasing Saudi heritage and culture to a global audience — from a Chinese UNESCO World Heritage Site — through its stand at the Visit Saudi pavilion at the Saudi Travel Expo. (Supplied)
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Diriyah Company is showcasing Saudi heritage and culture to a global audience — from a Chinese UNESCO World Heritage Site — through its stand at the Visit Saudi pavilion at the Saudi Travel Expo. (Supplied)
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Updated 19 October 2024
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Diriyah showcases Saudi heritage at Chinese UNESCO site

Diriyah showcases Saudi heritage at Chinese UNESCO site
  • Kingdom promotes tourism, hospitality to Chinese visitors

RIYADH: Diriyah Company is showcasing Saudi heritage and culture to a global audience — from a Chinese UNESCO World Heritage Site — through its stand at the Visit Saudi pavilion at the Saudi Travel Expo, which is taking place in Tiantan Park in Beijing.

The initiative is part of a promotional campaign in China, which was inaugurated by Saudi Minister of Tourism Ahmed Al-Khateeb on Thursday.

The minister wrote on his X account: “Visiting the #SaudiTravelFestival in Tiantan, I highlighted this great opportunity to showcase our authentic Saudi values of hospitality and introduce the Kingdom’s diverse tourism destinations to Chinese tourists.”

In another post, Al-Khateeb said: “Saudi and Chinese cultures are connected by shared values like family, tradition, and hospitality. These similarities are at the heart of our relationship. As we continue to build bridges, we welcome friends from China and the world to experience our authentic Arab heritage.”

The Diriyah pavilion provides visitors with distinctive interactive experiences, showcasing the true hospitality of Saudi Arabia by offering traditional Saudi coffee and dates, in addition to inviting attendees to wear traditional clothing while capturing photographs featuring a backdrop of Diriyah.

Visitors can also participate in artistic activities using clay, and explore the art of Arabic calligraphy, all set against a backdrop that embodies authentic Saudi heritage, enhanced by the melodies of the oud musical instrument.

The Saudi Travel Expo continues until Oct. 26 and aims to enhance the perception and awareness of Saudi Arabia’s tourist and historic destinations, as well as its rich culture.

The event serves to highlight the cultural diversity and historic depth of the Kingdom.

It also spotlights engaging offers for visitors, including travel packages that allow them to explore the Kingdom and visit its most significant historic attractions, including Diriyah, as well as experience other delights.

On the sidelines of the festival, Al-Khateeb held meetings with Peter Zheng, CEO of Maoyan Entertainment; Jane Sun, CEO of Trip.com; Rikin Wu, CEO of DidaTravel; and Zhao Qi, chairman of Jin Jiang Group.

The parties discussed and explored opportunities for cooperation and growth in the tourism sector.


Saudi visitors forecast to spend £940m in UK during 2025

Saudi visitors forecast to spend £940m in UK during 2025
Updated 10 sec ago
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Saudi visitors forecast to spend £940m in UK during 2025

Saudi visitors forecast to spend £940m in UK during 2025
  • Visa-free travel scheme, improved flight links boost numbers of Saudis traveling to Britain
  • VisitBritain figures show rise in GCC tourists to UK likely to continue

LONDON: Increasing numbers of Saudi visitors are expected to spend an extra £200 million in the UK this year, thanks to improved visa-free travel and more flight routes.

Tourism authority VisitBritain has forecast 320,000 visits from Saudi Arabia in 2025 — a 12 percent increase on the 286,000 visits in 2023.

Saudi Arabia became one of seven Middle Eastern countries to be included in the UK’s electronic travel authorization scheme when the Kingdom was added in February 2024. 

Under the scheme, visitors to the UK can purchase a two-year permit allowing multiple journeys to the country. This replaces a more expensive, six-month electronic visa waiver.

The scheme is one of the reasons visitor numbers to the UK from Saudi Arabia and Gulf countries are set to increase again above pre-pandemic levels.

Meanwhile, spending by tourists is growing at an even faster rate, according to the VisitBritain figures compiled with Oxford Economics and published on Tuesday.

Saudi tourists are expected to spend £942 million in 2025 — 34 percent more than in 2023.

“Saudi Arabia is a very important inbound visitor market for the UK, and it is fantastic to see the continued growth forecast,” a VisitBritain spokesperson told Arab News.

“With the growing airline connectivity to the UK through regional gateways alongside the electronic travel authorization scheme, travel to the UK is now easier and more accessible for Saudi nationals.”

For the GCC countries overall, there are expected to be 1.4 million visits to the UK this year, up 8 percent on the 2024 estimate.

GCC visitors are set to spend £3.5 billion on their trips, another substantial increase on previous years.

The expected growth in travel numbers comes as two airlines prepare to launch new routes between the UK and Saudi Arabia next month.

UK airline Virgin Atlantic will run daily flights between Riyadh and Heathrow, while budget carrier Wizz Air will connect Jeddah and Gatwick.

As the UK seeks to boost tourism from the Gulf to help its economy, Saudi Arabia has in recent years opened up to global tourism, welcoming visitors to important historical areas such as AlUla.

VisitBritain and the Saudi Tourism Authority signed an agreement in May setting out areas to develop and expand tourism.

VisitBritain recently rolled out a new campaign in Saudi Arabia called “Starring GREAT Britain” that uses famous locations from films and TV to attract visitors.

Overall, tourism to the UK is forecast to increase this year on 2024 levels with a record 43.4 million visits from all countries, spending £33.7 billion.


Saudi Arabia to launch iftar program in 61 countries

Saudi Arabia to launch iftar program in 61 countries
Updated 1 min 43 sec ago
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Saudi Arabia to launch iftar program in 61 countries

Saudi Arabia to launch iftar program in 61 countries

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia will launch an iftar program in 61 countries during the holy month of Ramadan, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday.

The Ministry of Islamic Affairs, through religious attaches at the Kingdom’s embassies abroad, is implementing the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Program for Iftar (breaking of the fast) this year.

The program aims to provide iftar to more than 1 million people, the SPA reported.

Minister of Islamic Affairs Sheikh Abdullatif Al-Asheikh expressed gratitude to King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for their continued support of global aid and their efforts to serve Islam and Muslims, especially during Ramadan.

He added that the ministry, in coordination with religious attaches and cultural centers, has disbursed the necessary funds for the Ramadan iftar program.
 


Saudi deputy FM meets US official in Riyadh

Saudi deputy FM meets US official in Riyadh
Updated 17 min 49 sec ago
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Saudi deputy FM meets US official in Riyadh

Saudi deputy FM meets US official in Riyadh

Saudi Arabia’s Deputy Minister for Political Affairs Saud Al-Sati received Timothy Lenderking, senior bureau official at US State Department’s Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs, and his accompanying delegation, in Riyadh on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia’s Deputy Minister for Consular Affairs Ali Al-Yousef received Dutch Ambassador to the Kingdom Hans Peter van der Woude in Riyadh on Wednesday.

During the meetings, all sides discussed various topics of common interest, the Foreign Ministry wrote on X.
 


Saudi Arabia’s Al-Moqbel appointed WTO General Council president for 2025–2026

Saudi Arabia’s Al-Moqbel appointed WTO General Council president for 2025–2026
Updated 19 February 2025
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Saudi Arabia’s Al-Moqbel appointed WTO General Council president for 2025–2026

Saudi Arabia’s Al-Moqbel appointed WTO General Council president for 2025–2026
  • Becomes first Arab and Middle Eastern delegate to hold the position

RIYADH: The General Council of the World Trade Organization unanimously appointed Saudi Arabia’s Permanent Representative to the WTO Saqer bin Abdullah Al-Moqbel as its president for the 2025–2026 term on Wednesday.

His appointment marks a milestone for the region, as he becomes the first Arab and Middle Eastern delegate to hold the position, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The WTO General Council plays a role in overseeing the organization’s operations between its biennial ministerial conferences.

Under Al-Moqbel’s presidency, the council is expected to address a range of critical global trade issues, with preparations for the 14th WTO Ministerial Conference, set to take place in Cameroon in March 2026, high on the agenda.

Other priorities will include advancing essential WTO reforms, particularly concerning its dispute settlement mechanism, and progressing negotiations on the second phase of the Fisheries Subsidy Agreement.

Additionally, discussions will focus on key areas such as agriculture, food security and development concerns, while efforts will also be made to integrate multilateral agreements, including the Investment Facilitation for Development Agreement and the E-Commerce Agreement, into the WTO framework, SPA added.

Commenting on his appointment, Al-Moqbel hailed the significance of Saudi Arabia’s leadership within the WTO, stating that it reflected the Kingdom’s growing role in the international economic landscape.

He emphasized that the Kingdom would leverage its global economic influence to strengthen multilateral trade cooperation and drive meaningful reforms within the WTO.


Saudi British Society honors cultural bridge-builders at London gala

Saudi British Society honors cultural bridge-builders at London gala
Updated 19 February 2025
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Saudi British Society honors cultural bridge-builders at London gala

Saudi British Society honors cultural bridge-builders at London gala
  • The Rawabi Holding Awards honor individuals who have fostered cultural exchange between the UK and Saudi Arabia
  • This year’s recipients include Dr. Idries Trevathan, Dr. Sarah Al-Saif, Dr. Mohammed Al-Qahtani and Arab News Editor-in-Chief Faisal J. Abbas

LONDON: The Saudi British Society honored four cultural bridge-builders at a gala ceremony in London on Tuesday.

The 2025 Rawabi Holding Awards were presented to Dr. Idries Trevathan, Dr. Sarah Al-Saif, Dr. Mohammed Al-Qahtani and Arab News Editor-in-Chief Faisal J. Abbas in recognition of their efforts to promote friendship, understanding and positive relations between the two nations.

“It’s a very special occasion … that has now developed over nearly 30 years and has become an award of national standing,” said Sir Alan Munro, former British ambassador to Saudi Arabia and a founding member of the Saudi British Society.

In his opening remarks, Sir Alan, who is stepping down as vice chairman of the society, reflected on its growth from what he once described as a “society in the sand” to a flourishing platform for cultural and academic exchange. Most recently, the society has expanded its focus to recognize achievements in academia and scientific research, with two of this year’s awards going to individuals for outstanding contributions in these fields.

Established in 2007, the Rawabi Holding Awards, sponsored by Saudi energy and industrial conglomerate Rawabi Holding, celebrate Saudis and Britons who have strengthened cultural ties between the two countries. This year’s awards were presented by Rawabi Holding Chairman Abdulaziz Al-Turki in the presence of Simon Collis, former British ambassador to the Kingdom and current chairman of the Saudi British Society.

Dr. Idries Trevathan, a British-born Islamic art specialist and chief curator at the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture, or Ithra, in Dhahran, was recognized for his efforts in building collaborations between museums in the UK and Saudi Arabia.

A leading curator in Islamic art across Europe, North Africa, Southeast Asia and the Middle East, Trevathan has worked to foster cultural exchange. His most recent project involved curating a retrospective on British photographer Peter Sanders, showcasing five decades of his work documenting the Muslim world.

“I’ve had the enormous benefit of being exposed to different faiths and cultures. And this exposure has ultimately allowed me a greater insight appreciation of different views and perspectives and cultures,” Trevathan said, describing his work as “building bridges of understanding, tolerance and mutual respect between the Muslim world and the West.”

Al-Saif and Al-Qahtani were recognized for their contribution to science and academia. Al-Saif’s research focuses on eco-friendly, biologically synthesized nanomaterials derived from marine sources to help address the World Health Organization’s call to combat multidrug-resistant bacteria. Al-Qahtani specializes in mechanical and manufacturing engineering, with expertise in additive manufacturing, biomedical devices, bio-manufacturing, tissue engineering and stress analysis optimization.

Arab News Editor-in-Chief Faisal J. Abbas was also honored for his contribution to the media industry and cross-cultural dialogue. Having spent part of his professional career in the UK, Abbas recently published his book, “Anecdotes of an Arab Anglophile,” which he describes as “a tale of two Kingdoms,” reflecting on his experiences and the enduring relationship between Saudi Arabia and Britain.