Day: September 21, 2024

Saudi Arabia has once again registered the highest growth in international tourism figures, in the first seven months of this year, among the G20 countries, according to the latest data from the United Nations Tourism Organization.

Compared to the same period in 2019, the Kingdom recorded a remarkable 73% increase in the number of international tourists and a 207% growth of international tourism revenues, the organization’s September 2024 World Tourism Barometer report shows.

Saudi Arabia welcomed around 17.5 million international tourists during this period, which points to a significant increase in its global tourism appeal. In 2023, the Kingdom had 27.4 million visitors, registering a 56% growth in the number of international tourists compared to 2019. This positioned Saudi Arabia at the top of the UN list recording tourism growth among major tourist destinations in 2023. Moreover, the travel item’s surplus recorded a historic SAR48 billion in 2023, reflecting a 38% year-on-year increase.

The Internatio
nal Monetary Fund (IMF), in its 2024 Article IV Consultation report issued in September, commended the unprecedented achievements of Saudi Arabia’s tourism sector, as part of Saudi Vision 2030. IMF particularly noted the sector’s role in the drive to diversify the Kingdom’s economic base, especially in the services sector where tourism has emerged as a key driver of growth. The sector has led in visitor numbers, spending, job creation, and contribution to the GDP.

These achievements underscore the Kingdom’s growing status as a premier global tourism destination, with the continuous rise in tourist numbers reflecting confidence in the country’s diverse and attractive tourism offerings.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

Gaza – Ma’an – Four citizens were killed today, Saturday, when the occupation forces bombed a warehouse in the Musabbeh area in the city of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip.

Local sources reported that the occupation warplanes bombed a warehouse in the city of Rafah, which led to the martyrdom of four citizens and the injury of six others.

The occupation forces have continued their aggression on the Gaza Strip by land, sea and air since October 7, 2023, resulting in the martyrdom of 41,391, the majority of whom are children and women, while the number of injuries reached 95,760, while thousands of victims are still under the rubble.

Source: Maan News Agency

The Tabuk region has been adorned in green to mark the Kingdom’s 94th National Day.

Government buildings, streets, parks, squares, and landmarks throughout the region have been illuminated and decorated in honor of this national occasion.

In the city of Tabuk and surrounding governorates and centers, green flags, paintings, and vibrant lights have transformed streets, neighborhoods, gardens, parks, and public spaces into a festive display. The region’s public and private sectors enthusiastically joined the National Day festivities, using flags, national slogans, and green decorations to reflect belonging and loyalty.

More than 8,000 flags were raised in the streets, complemented by over 60,000 linear meters of decorative lights on lampposts, palm and other trees.

Moreover, 195 billboards and road signs displayed congratulatory messages on the occasion of the National Day, alongside 30 models displaying the region’s pride and patriotic spirit.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

Gaza – Ma’an – A young man was killed and others were injured, Saturday morning, as a result of the Israeli occupation bombing of a house in the city of Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip.

Local sources reported that a citizen was killed and others were injured as a result of the occupation bombing of a house belonging to the “Mukhaimer” family in the city.

Three other citizens were injured in a bombing that targeted a tent housing displaced people in the middle of Khan Yunis, while occupation aircraft bombed a site in the vicinity of Nasser Medical Complex to the west.

The occupation artillery fired its shells and bullets towards the western areas of the Nuseirat camp in the central Gaza Strip.

Source: Maan News Agency

His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, has sent a cable of congratulations to Governor-General of Belize Froyla Tzalam on her country’s Independence Day.

The Crown Prince wished Tzalam continued good health and happiness, and the government and people of Belize steady progress and prosperity.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

Doha: HE Undersecretary of the Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs Dr. Sheikh Khalid bin Mohammed bin Ghanem Al-Thani honored the winners of the 5th edition of the “Waqf and Picture” competition in a ceremony held at the headquarters of the General Directorate of Endowments. His Excellency also announced the theme of the sixth edition of the competition, which will be launched on October 1.

During the ceremony held at the headquarters of the General Directorate of Endowments, 45 winners of the 5th edition of the competition in its local and international branches were announced.

694 photographers from 49 countries took part in the competition, with this year’s number of honorees in each category of the competition increased to fifteen winners and the value of the prizes increased to QR 275,000.

Director General of the General Directorate of Endowments Eng. Hassan Abdullah Al Marzouqi said that endowment work has historically been linked to various sectors to become a strong tributary to all aspect
s of life, civilization, and human development, and in this context it has been linked to scientific creativity and innovation.

He stressed that Islamic values were manifested in the endowment’s support for education, and Muslim scholars laid the foundations of experimental scientific curricula which paved the way for modern sciences and the development of Sharia, health, cultural, and educational research.

He added that the General Directorate of Endowments’ adoption of this edition of the competition is a result of the successes witnessed by the State of Qatar and the growing achievements in the global indicators that have enhanced the position of the State of Qatar at the global level in the field of education as well as the effective role of the endowment in supporting sustainable renaissance and education as a basic pillar in development and renaissance.

Source: Qatar News Agency

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud has sent a cable of congratulations to Governor-General of Belize Froyla Tzalam on her country’s Independence Day.

The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques wished Tzalam continued good health and happiness, and the government and people of Belize steady progress and prosperity.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, has sent a cable of congratulations to Republic of Armenia President Vahagn Khachaturyan on his country’s Independence Day.

The Crown Prince wished Khachaturyan continued health and happiness, and the government and people of the Republic of Armenia steady progress and prosperity.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

An earthquake measuring 5.3 magnitude on the Richter scale struck off the eastern coast of Taiwan.

The Central Weather Administration – Hualien, Taiwan, reported that the earthquake shook buildings in the capital, Taipei, occurring at a depth of 17 kilometers.

There remains no immediate reports of casualties or property damage as a result of the quake.

Source: Qatar News Agency