RIYADH — Gulf tourism ministers affirmed the continued stability and resilience of the region’s tourism sector, while strongly condemning recent Iranian attacks on critical infrastructure. In a joint statement following an extraordinary virtual meeting, the ministers said the sector remains operational and continues to welcome visitors, supported by advanced infrastructure, high operational efficiency, and integrated service systems. They reviewed regional developments and their potential impact on tourism, stressing the sector’s ability to overcome current challenges and move toward rapid recovery. The ministers condemned the “unjustified and illegal” Iranian attacks targeting civilian infrastructure, including ports, airports, energy facilities, tourism assets, desalination…
Author: Editorial Team
JEDDAH — Simone Inzaghi and Roberto Mancini go head-to-head on Monday as Al Hilal take on Al Sadd in the AFC Champions League Elite Round of 16. Both sides enter the knockout clash with strong continental pedigree, but Al Hilal hold the edge historically, losing just once in four previous knockout meetings against the Qatari side. The Saudi champions will also draw confidence from their recent form against teams from Qatar, going unbeaten in their last seven matches (six wins and one draw), including a 3-1 victory over Al Sadd during the league stage, where they finished top of the…
Minister of Investment Fahad Al-Saif inaugurated Lenovo’s regional headquarters for the Middle East, Türkiye, and Africa in Riyadh today, marking a significant step in the Kingdom’s efforts to strengthen its position as a regional hub for global companies in line with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030. Al-Saif stated that Lenovo’s decision to establish its regional headquarters in the Kingdom reflects the strength of the Saudi economy, the attractiveness of its investment environment, and the pace of its economic transformation. He noted that the move highlights the success of the regional headquarters program in attracting leading global companies and enabling them…
RIYADH — The average hotel room occupancy rate in Saudi Arabia reached 57.3 percent during the fourth quarter of 2025. This rate posts an increase of 1.3 percentage points compared to the same period in 2024, when it reached 56 percent, according to the statistics for tourism establishments for the fourth quarter of 2025, released on Sunday by the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT). The average occupancy rate for serviced apartments and other hospitality facilities reached 55.9 percent during the period, showing little change year-on-year. The GASTAT data showed an improvement in occupancy indicators and significant growth in the number…
RIYADH — The Ministry of Commerce has recalled 33,250 Toyota and Lexus vehicles due to a programming fault that increases the risk of accidents. The Ministry explained that a malfunction in the software of the vehicles’ electronic control unit — responsible for parking assistance — may cause the rearview camera display not to appear on the screen when shifting into reverse. This issue increases the risk of accidents while reversing. The fault affects multiple Toyota and Lexus models from 2022 to 2025 which include the Land Cruiser, Crown, LX600, Prado, LC500, Mirai, Highlander, Camry, LS500/LS500h, RX, UX, NX, and ES.…
RIYADH — Expatriates, without an official permit, are banned from entering Makkah, effective from Monday, April 13. This is part of a package of arrangements and regulations, announced by the Ministry of Interior, for this year’s Hajj season, with the objective of ensuring the safety of pilgrims and ensuring the performance of the Hajj rituals in ease and comfort under the slogan “No Hajj without a permit.” According to the new regulations, only those expatriates who carry a residency permit (iqama) issued in Makkah, or a Hajj permit, or a work permit for the holy sites will be allowed entry…
RIYADH — The Saudi Central Bank (SAMA) announced that electronic payments accounted for 85 percent of total retail payments in 2025, up from 79 percent in 2024. This remarkable achievement reflects growth in national payment systems, with electronic transactions reaching 14.6 billion in 2025, compared with 12.6 billion in 2024. SAMA attributed this progress to increased transaction volumes through the Mada payment system, particularly across point-of-sale and e-commerce transactions, alongside growth in other national payment systems.The increase reflects the continued expansion of electronic payment adoption and its growing role in daily transactions. In recent years, Saudi Arabia has seen rapid…
Markets across Al-Ahsa Governorate are witnessing a seasonal influx of fresh mulberries in a variety of types and colors, including red, black, and blue. The crop is drawing attention for its strong production potential and promising economic and investment prospects in the region. Professor of Fruit Science at King Faisal University Dr. Hossam El-Din Hussein Mahmoud said mulberry cultivation represents a promising agricultural sector in the Kingdom due to its high nutritional value and diverse applications. He attributed Al-Ahsa’s advantage in mulberry production to its oasis-based agricultural system, the availability of groundwater, and the experience of local farmers in managing crops under challenging…
King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre (KFSH) and Qiddiya Investment Company have signed an agreement to collaborate on the establishment of the Qiddiya Sports Medical Centre in Riyadh, aimed at delivering specialized sports medicine services in line with international standards. The agreement was signed at the headquarters of KFSH in Riyadh, with H.E. Dr. Majid Alfayyadh, Chief Executive Officer of KFSH, and Mr. Abdullah AlDawood, Board Member and Managing Director of Qiddiya Investment Company, representing the two parties, in the presence of senior officials from both sides. The agreement aims to develop a dedicated centre providing sports medicine services…
WASHINGTON D.C.— Minister of Finance Mohammed Al-Jadaan is leading Saudi Arabia’s delegation participating in the 2026 Spring Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank Group (WBG), scheduled to take place in Washington, D.C., from Monday April 13 to Saturday, April 18. The Saudi delegation will also include Governor of the Saudi Central Bank (SAMA) Ayman Al-Sayari; Assistant Minister of Finance for Macro-Fiscal Policies and International Relations Eng. Abdullah BinZaraah; Deputy Chair of the International Monetary and Financial Committee (IMFC) Dr. Ryadh Alkhareif; SAMA’s Deputy Governor for Investment Majed Alawad; Deputy Minister of Finance for International Relation…