DUBAI: Saudi Arabia plans to start a tourism development fund with an initial $4 billion investment, the ministry of tourism said on Sunday, as part of plans to diversify the economy in the face of the coronavirus pandemic and low oil prices.
The Tourism Development Fund will launch equity and debt investment vehicles to develop the tourism sector in collaboration with private and investment banks, the ministry said in a statement.
“The launch of the fund at this time, as the tourism sector faces unprecedented global challenges, is testament to investor and private-sector confidence in the long-term outlook for tourism in Saudi Arabia,” Minister of Tourism Ahmed Al-Khateeb said in the statement.
Tourism is one of the main pillars of Saudi economic reforms aimed at weaning the country off its dependence on oil revenue.
Saudi Arabia last year opened up to international tourists, launching a new visa regime while appealing to foreign companies to invest in the sector, which it hopes will contribute more than 10% of gross domestic product by 2030, up from 3% currently.
Analysts predict a severe economic contraction in Saudi Arabia this year, hit by the economic impact of measures to contain the COVID-19 pandemic and by a sharp drop in oil revenue because of low crude prices.
Saudi Arabia to launch $4bn tourism development fund
https://arab.news/663nc
Saudi Arabia to launch $4bn tourism development fund
- The fund will launch equity and debt investment vehicles to develop the tourism sector
- Tourism is one of the main pillars of Saudi economic reforms
Three Spanish friends rewriting history to perform Hajj on horseback
- Pilgrims recreating historic 8,000 km route used by Andalusian Muslims
- Team supported financially by local Muslims during 7-month ride
Jeddah: Three friends rode on horseback from Spain to Saudi Arabia to perform the Hajj, reviving a pilgrimage route last used by Andalusian Muslims more than 500 years ago.
They reached Saudi Arabia’s Northern Borders region last week in time for Hajj after travelling through Spain, France, Italy, Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia, Serbia, Turkiye, Syria and Jordan on a 8,000 km (4,970 miles) journey.
The three Spanish Muslims, Abdelkader Harkassi, Abdallah Hernandez and Tariq Rodriguez, are fulfilling a long-held ambition after embracing Islam 35 years ago.
The three riders are accompanied by Bouchaib Jadil, a construction master living in Spain, who is providing logistical support to the team by leading the way in a car.
It all started when Abdullah Hernandez reverted to Islam 35 years ago.
He told Arab News about how he felt grateful toward Allah for blessing him with guidance — Heidaya — and he promised to complete the Hajj pilgrimage the way his Andalusian ancestors did.
The team practiced for two years before setting off in October 2024 from Al-Monaster Mosque, south of Spain.
After crossing the border of Jordan on May 2, the three Spanish friends arrived in Qurayyat city in Al-Jawf Province, in northern Saudi Arabia on Friday after a remarkable seven-month horseback journey.
During their stop in Qurayyat, the pilgrims were hosted by the head of Al-Haditha Center, Mamdouh Al-Mutairi, who welcomed them to the Kingdom and wished them a pleasant stay and an acceptable and easy Hajj, meeting with students and supporters.
The pilgrims were received with a warm welcome from the residents of Qurayyat, who posed for memorable photos with them.
Hernandez told Arab News: “The team is very excited as we are getting closer to Makkah and Madinah. These holy cities are very special to us, and we have been dreaming of reaching them for a long time. Our hearts feel full of love and hope, and we are looking forward to this moment with deep respect and happiness.
“Through this journey we want to recover a historical Andalusian route from Spain to the Harram of Makkah. It is also a trip of challenges where every step is felt by us and the horses, but also is a journey for the soul,” he added.
One of the Hajj pilgrims, Harkassi, said they were happy to revive a lost tradition. He added that the team saved money and trained for several years for the journey.
He said: “We embarked on this journey with pure intentions to realize the Hajj.”
He added: “We are almost there, and hopefully, the rest of the journey will be easier.”
Their journey, spanning diverse landscapes and extreme weather conditions, is being shared with followers on social media.
“Crossing borders has been the biggest challenge. Some countries were more difficult to cross than others as horses are not considered a mode of transport anymore, but instead they need to be ‘imported’ into each country as livestock, but Alhamdulillah, we have managed to complete all the paperwork so far,” said Hernandez.
Their expedition, known as “Hajj on Horseback,” was warmly welcomed by Muslims and non-Muslims. Hernandez added: “We’ve been received with open arms everywhere we’ve gone — each country has somehow managed to be even more welcoming than the one before, MashAllah.
“Whether in Muslim or non-Muslim countries, people have shown incredible hospitality: Inviting us into their homes, sharing meals with us, listening to our stories and engaging in meaningful conversations about Islam.
“The warmth we’ve experienced in Muslim countries has been especially profound, reflecting the deep sense of unity within our Ummah. This beautiful spirit is clearly visible in our recent videos from Turkiye and Syria.”
The team set off with limited funds, but received support from local Muslims along the way to finance the costs of the unique journey.
KSrelief humanitarian projects launched in Yemen and Sudan
- In Yemen, during the first days of May, KSrelief launched Project Masam to clear unexploded ordinance across the war-torn country
RIYADH: The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center continues to invest in volunteer projects to help improve the living conditions of people in Yemen and Sudan.
On Saturday, the organization finished a urology medical program in Port Sudan. Eight volunteer staff members examined 160 patients and performed 60 urological operations during the week-long initiative.
In Yemen, during the first days of May, KSrelief launched Project Masam to clear unexploded ordinance across the war-torn country.
Since its launch, the program has successfully cleared 491,983 explosives in Yemen.
Thousands benefit from Saudi Red Crescent volunteer initiatives
JEDDAH: Thousands of volunteers have clocked in vast amounts of hours in service with the Saudi Red Crescent Authority during April, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Tuesday.
The SRCA saw 2,762 volunteers collectively log 16,755 hours of service throughout the month.
The volunteers supported 9,295 individuals with 251 unique initiatives, the report added.
The diverse services include providing humanitarian aid, ambulance services, education awareness campaigns, and environmental efforts.
Saudi defense minister, Yemen PM discuss relations
RIYADH: Prince Khalid bin Salman, Saudi minister of defense, met with Yemen’s newly-appointed Prime Minster Salem Saleh Bin Braik.
The pair discussed ways to boost Saudi-Yemeni relations, in addition to regional developments and the situation in Yemen.
”I reaffirmed the Kingdom’s continued support for the government of Yemen in ways that will meet the aspirations of the Yemeni people,” Prince Khalid said in a post on X.
He also conveyed the Saudi leadership’s best wishes to Bin Braik after his appointment as Prime Minister, as well as their hopes for his success and for the stability, security, and prosperity of the people of Yemen.
Yemen’s internationally recognized government named finance minister Bin Braik as its new prime minister on Saturday.
UNESCO delegation visits North Riyadh Geopark after global network listing
- Destination showcases Kingdom’s natural and cultural diversity, UNESCO official says
- In April, UNESCO listed North Riyadh Geopark and Salma as part of its Global Geoparks Network
RIYADH: UNESCO’s Assistant Director-General for Natural Sciences, Lidia Brito, visited North Riyadh Geopark on Sunday, praising the destination for preserving both nature and history.
The UN Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization designated North Riyadh Geopark in April as part of its Global Geoparks Network, which aims to protect geological heritage sites and promote sustainable development.
Hussam Zuhair Al-Turki, director of the Saudi Geoparks Initiative, and Hamoud Alnughaymishi, director of the Science Sector at the Saudi National Commission for Education, Culture, and Science, accompanied Brito during her visit.
They explored significant geological features at the North Riyadh Geopark, including the Abu Shaddad Cave and the Edge of the World cliff. They also stopped to explore Ghamra Village, known for its natural adventure routes on the outskirts of Riyadh.
Brito said that the North Riyadh Geopark showcases the natural and cultural diversity of Saudi Arabia, and will enhance eco-tourism in the Kingdom, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
In April, UNESCO designated North Riyadh Geopark and Salma Geopark as part of its Global Geoparks Network. The Kingdom hopes to register 13 other sites on UNESCO’s network, the SPA added.
