DAVOS:听海角直播鈥檚 Minister of Tourism Ahmed Al-Khateeb said tourism accommodation in the Kingdom was expected to double over the next 10 years.
Al-Khateeb said 海角直播, which has about 400,000 guest rooms at the moment, was projected to double that number to 800,000 by 2030.
The minister reiterated 海角直播鈥檚 goal to be part of the world鈥檚 top seven tourism destinations by 2030.
鈥淪audi looks at why people travel and what they are looking for and understand what people want and focus on convenience,鈥 he said.
The Kingdom鈥檚 tourism industry is growing at a rapid rate with the creation of mega-projects such as NEOM, a futuristic city on the Red Sea, and The Red Sea Project, which focuses on luxury and eco-tourism, expected to redefine global tourism standards.
Additionally, cultural landmarks such as AlUla, with its ancient Nabatean heritage, and Diriyah, the birthplace of the Saudi state, are undergoing significant restoration to offer visitors unique historical and cultural experiences.
When asked about how the Kingdom manages this growth, the minister said that governance in the Kingdom ensured coordination and that growth was not too rapid.
鈥淭here is no such thing as 鈥榦ver-tourism,鈥 but there is mismanagement of resources,鈥 he said.
鈥淕overnments are taking tourism for granted. In Saudi we have a minister for tourism and a minister for culture. Having separate ones allows full focus and dedication on goal achieving,鈥 Al-Khateeb added.
European Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism Apostolos Tzitzikostas said 海角直播 was setting an example for the EU in managing tourism and developing a strong travel industry.
With technology advancing rapidly, Al-Khateeb said it was important to use new innovations smartly in the tourism sector.
鈥淭his is a people-to-people business. Yes, we should use technology for ease and convenience, but people interaction is an essential part of the experience,鈥 he said.
The threads of life: Syrian artist Hayat Saker鈥檚 solo show opens in Dammam
鈥楾he threads, though neatly stitched in parts, poke out seemingly at random, like life itself: a little messy, unexpected, yet still following a certain pattern and path,鈥 her daughter says
Updated 8 sec ago
Jasmine Bager
DAMMAM: There is something deeply personal and poetic about Syrian artist Hayat Saker鈥檚 work: threads stitched into fabric, narratives woven and embedded into memory on acrylic paintings. Each piece has order and balance, yet stray strands burst out like colorful plumes of calm chaos.
Her second solo show, 鈥淯ntitled,鈥 which is at the 海角直播n Society for Culture and Arts in Dammam, collects 41 works that were created in two countries over a period of several years.
Saker鈥檚 art is not only handmade, it鈥檚 鈥渉eart-made.鈥
鈥淚 feel like it is my country 鈥 I belong here,鈥 she told Arab News. 鈥満＝侵辈 is very similar to Syria in that I have peace of mind.
鈥淪ome of these works were made in Damascus and I shipped them over for this show. However, the majority of them were made in Saudi during my time here over the last two years.
鈥淭he technique is something that has been in our tradition for a long time 鈥 my sisters and family members use it 鈥 but I like to offer my own signature, my own slice of life, deep in nature, and emote feelings and characters that resonate with me. I consider my works to be my friends.鈥
Saker鈥檚 latest exhibition has been a family affair. Her husband, Nedal Al-Hmeidi, was by her side on opening night, as were their three children: twin daughters Sewar and Emar, who have also exhibited at the space, and son Rami.
The artist with her family. (AN photo)
Sharing her thoughts about her mother鈥檚 work, Sewar, who is a pianist, told Arab News: 鈥淭he threads, though neatly stitched in parts, poke out seemingly at random, like life itself: a little messy, unexpected, yet still following a certain pattern and path.
鈥淭hey hold their place, reflecting the beauty and complexity within us. It stirs something deep within me, and it鈥檚 very important to me. None of these works have titles; she deliberately leaves them open for each person to find their own meaning.鈥
Son Rami has vivid memories of the creative energy that goes into the works.
鈥淢y mother was an artist long before we came into the picture,鈥 he told Arab News. 鈥淲hen she was still living at her family home in Syria, whenever she spotted an empty space on the wall, she would draw on it. She had this passion from the very beginning.
鈥淎fter she got married, she began teaching art in schools, so it became part of her daily life. Later, she became an art therapist.鈥
Rami explained that his mother has an interesting relationship with the concept of eyes.
鈥淯sually, eyes are seen as symbols of beauty 鈥 windows to the soul 鈥 but in her work, they represent surveillance and a cautious, watchful eye. In Syria, we grew up fearing the gaze, the eyes.鈥
His favorite work by his mother features a scarecrow.
鈥淭here鈥檚 a lot of symbolism and playfulness in her art,鈥 Rami said. 鈥淭he scarecrow, for example, is something that frightens birds but a mature viewer could recognize its sense of play.鈥
Growing up surrounded by his mother鈥檚 creativity left its mark on him.
鈥淪he tried to teach us that every child is capable of creating art, but one becomes an artist only after working on their craft,鈥 he said.
鈥淚 leaned more toward music, like one of my sisters; I played the violin and the viola, elegant and professional instruments. I also explored sound and movement as part of my art, along with tennis and filmmaking.鈥
Emar highlighted two works, featuring roosters, among the 41 on display that are her favorites. 鈥淭hese roosters stand out,鈥 she said.
The run-up to the exhibition was not easy for Saker. Just five months ago, she was in a horrific car accident that left both of her hands broken.
鈥淓verything she was finishing came to a sudden, brutal halt,鈥 Emar said.
The exhibition had been scheduled to open just days later but had to be delayed as Saker slowly recovered and found her way back to the canvas and threads.
鈥淎fter the car accident, I was forced to postpone the show to give me time to heal,鈥 she said.
Her resilience and personality shines through in every stitch.
Emar said: 鈥淭hrough these works, you see the true nature and life of the artist, Hayat. Most of the works were created before the accident.鈥
Each mixed-media piece, made with acrylic paint and thread, also reflects her signature spontaneity.
鈥淪he doesn鈥檛 sketch,鈥 Emar explained. 鈥淪he does it directly into the piece and lets the thread decide how it wants to move within the space. Only three women in the world are currently using this technique as their art form; it鈥檚 also very contemporary.鈥
鈥淯ntitled鈥 is more than simply an exhibition, according to Emar, it is also an educational experience.
鈥淚t鈥檚 very important, especially for the children, so they can train their eyes from youth,鈥 she said.
Saker created some of the works on display in just two or three days. Others took as long as three months.
鈥淚t looks like a regular, pretty painting but once you move your face closer, you can see the true details,鈥 Emar said. 鈥淲e are not used to seeing this in Saudi, especially. I am so glad that we have this space in Dammam that supports different ways of creating art.鈥
She emphasized the value of that support and thanked Yousef Al-Harbi, the director of the 海角直播n Society for Culture and Arts in Dammam, for providing a space that 鈥渁llows students and visitors to witness mom鈥檚 work, to study it, to let themselves be moved by it, and to carry that vision forward in ways they might never forget.鈥
Saker鈥檚 husband, Nedal, mingled with the guests who stopped by to gaze and reflect on his wife鈥檚 works, pausing by one of his favorite pieces, which was also the one used for the event poster.
鈥淭hese palm trees with their circular blue shapes, it鈥檚 familiar but my wife did it with her own twist,鈥 he said with a smile.
鈥淯ntitled鈥 is at the Arabian Society for Culture and Arts in Dammam until Oct. 29.
Mauritanian president arrives in Jeddah to perform Umrah
Updated 56 min 11 sec ago
SPA
JEDDAH: President of Mauritania Mohamed Ould Cheikh El-Ghazouani and his accompanying delegation arrived in Jeddah on Friday to perform Umrah.
The president was received at King Abdulaziz International Airport by Makkah Region Deputy Gov. Prince Saud bin Mishaal and a number of senior officials.
Earlier this month, Saleh Al-Suhaibani, permanent representative of 海角直播 to the OIC, met with Ambassador of Mauritania to 海角直播 Moktar Ould Dahi.
The officials discussed ways to enhance cooperation and assist the OIC in its mission to assist Muslims worldwide, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Discussions focused on avenues for the two missions to ensure prosperity, stability and peace throughout the Islamic world.
Additionally, the officials addressed the organization鈥檚 ongoing efforts in various fields.
Saudi Film Confex attracts major Saudi companies and global stars听
Hollywood star听Johnny Depp听took center stage to deliver a masterclass titled听鈥淭he Genius of Embodying Different Roles鈥
Updated 24 October 2025
Rahaf Jambi
RIYADH: The Saudi Film Confex, which took place in Riyadh from Oct. 22 to 25, attracted major Saudi companies and global stars, highlighting the Kingdom鈥檚 rising influence in the filmmaking industry, as well as its growing creative economy.
Hollywood star Johnny Depp took center stage to deliver a masterclass titled 鈥淭he Genius of Embodying Different Roles.鈥 Hosted by Saudi actress and filmmaker Fatima Al-Banawi, the session provided attendees with a rare look into Depp鈥檚 artistic process, his approach to character building, and the lessons he has learned over his four-decade career.
Now in its third year, the Saudi Film Confex has become a key platform for the Kingdom鈥檚 creative industries, uniting local talent, international studios, and investors under one roof. This year鈥檚 event featured an expansive exhibition, workshops, panel discussions, and networking opportunities.
Film AlUla鈥檚 acting executive director Zaid Shaker described the Kingdom鈥檚 filmmaking progress as 鈥渘othing short of transformative.鈥
He said: 鈥淪audi filmmaking is not just advancing but experiencing transformative acceleration. In a few short years, the industry has gone from nascent to dynamic. Storytelling has always been part of Saudi culture 鈥 from poetry to oral histories 鈥 and film has become the newest chapter of that tradition, especially among the younger generation.鈥
Film AlUla has emerged as one of the driving forces behind this transformation, providing infrastructure, incentives, and natural backdrops that attract both local and international productions. The destination has hosted several global projects, including 鈥淜andahar鈥 starring Gerard Butler, and is one of the most visually striking filming locations in the Middle East.
Shaker emphasized that the Saudi film industry鈥檚 growth is powered by two essential elements: organic creative momentum and strategic national investment.
鈥淭he sector has naturally leaned toward quality over quantity, which has ensured its early success,鈥 he said. 鈥淪audi-born auteurs like Shahad Ameen and Tawfik Alzaidi are earning global recognition 鈥 鈥淣orah鈥 was selected for the Un Certain Regard section at Cannes, and 鈥淗ijra鈥 is the Kingdom鈥檚 official submission for the 2026 Academy Awards. These filmmakers are defining a new cinematic identity for 海角直播.鈥
He also credited the government鈥檚 deliberate approach to building an integrated ecosystem that nurtures both creativity and professionalism.
鈥淚n AlUla alone, we have established world-class infrastructure through partnerships with industry leaders such as MBStudios,鈥 he said. 鈥淲e offer a competitive 40-percent cash rebate and provide upskilling programs with international partners to cultivate Saudi talent.鈥
Film AlUla鈥檚 collaborations extend across the Kingdom鈥檚 creative ecosystem. Shaker highlighted its ongoing partnership with the Red Sea Fund, which supported the co-production of 鈥淗ijra,鈥 filmed entirely in AlUla.
鈥淭hese collaborations are setting the foundations for a new generation of filmmakers who are rooted in the region and inspired by it,鈥 he said. 鈥淲e are building not only an industry, but also a cultural legacy that reflects 海角直播鈥檚 landscapes, people, and stories.鈥
Beyond production, Film AlUla鈥檚 vision also encompasses tourism, education, and heritage preservation, positioning AlUla as both a cultural destination and a creative laboratory for the Kingdom鈥檚 future storytellers.
鈥淲e are seeing a vibrant creative community forming around this ecosystem,鈥 Shaker said. 鈥淔ilm Confex gives us a chance to connect with emerging filmmakers, offer training through workshops, and inspire new storylines. When young Saudis see AlUla鈥檚 landscapes on screen, it ignites ideas 鈥 they want to tell stories that belong to this land.鈥
Arabia Pictures, a creative boutique dedicated to transforming ideas into intellectual properties, was participating for the third year in succession. Abdulaziz Nayta, project management and business development lead, described the company as 鈥渁 one-stop shop for bringing creative visions to life.鈥
Nayta said: 鈥淲e offer a unique blend of services 鈥 from ideation and concept development to project management and commercial guidance. Our core focus is on content creation, IP ownership, and monetization.鈥
Arabia Pictures provides both financial backing and industry expertise. The company鈥檚 portfolio spans films, series, gaming, and events 鈥 adapting Arabic stories for global audiences while also working on international brand collaborations.
鈥淓vents like Saudi Film Confex empower the industry鈥檚 infrastructure and open new business lines in production and distribution,鈥 Nayta added. 鈥淚t鈥檚 an excellent initiative by the Saudi Film Commission, and we鈥檙e confident it will continue to yield great results for the future.鈥
Making its debut appearance at the event, the Saudi Entertainment Academy 鈥 the first accredited entertainment academy in the Middle East 鈥 attracted significant interest from visitors and industry professionals alike.
Founded in 2019, SEA provides training programs that lead directly to employment in the entertainment and event management sectors. CEO Eihab AbouRukbah said the event offered valuable opportunities for engagement and collaboration.
鈥淭his was our first time participating, and it was amazing,鈥 he said. 鈥淪o many people came to ask about our programs 鈥 how we discover talents, what we teach, and how we can partner with companies to build the sector together.鈥
He said the academy continues to expand its curriculum to match the rapid growth of 海角直播鈥檚 entertainment landscape.
鈥淲e are still growing, and so is the market,鈥 he said. 鈥淭here鈥檚 a lot of potential for cooperation, innovation, and development within the community.鈥
The Saudi Film Confex has become a dynamic engine for industry growth 鈥 connecting filmmakers, producers, and investors while highlighting 海角直播鈥檚 potential as a regional hub for cinema. The event鈥檚 success reflects the nation鈥檚 broader cultural transformation under Vision 2030, in which film and entertainment are central to diversifying the economy and telling authentic Saudi stories to the world.
By fostering collaboration, nurturing local talent, and attracting global expertise, the Saudi Film Confex continues to solidify its place as the Kingdom鈥檚 premier film industry event 鈥 one that mirrors the ambition and creative energy driving 海角直播鈥檚 new cultural era.
Zenos Health Summit debuts in Kingdom, helps spotlight Saudi initiatives
Summit focuses on how medtech, biotech are creating opportunities
Updated 24 October 2025
Jasmine Bager
DIRIYAH: The Zenos Health Summit began in historic Diriyah this week, the first event of its kind in the Kingdom.
The event, which ends on Oct. 25, has welcomed more than 50 experts in biohacking, integrative medicine and performance wellness at Bab Samhan Hotel to help explore the cutting edge of human longevity and peak performance.
In alignment with the Health Sector Transformation Program and in partnership with the Quality of Life Program, Shift Clinics, and Karama, the summit has explored how medtech and biotech are creating new opportunities.
One of the summit鈥檚 keynote speakers was Gary Brecka, founder of 鈥淭he Ultimate Human鈥 podcast, who spoke to Arab News.
He said: 鈥淭his is my first immersive experience in 海角直播 and it鈥檚 been an absolutely unforgettable experience. I feel like there鈥檚 a true interest in having their people heal, and not just heal, but thrive.鈥
He added that the Kingdom has embraced the concept of longevity and bio-optimization, creating a unique environment in which wellness is prioritized over merely managing disease.
Zenos Health, founded in 2024 by brothers Mazen and Marwan Karnaby, grew out of a deeply personal journey.
Mazen鈥檚 melanoma diagnosis in 2023 became the spark that ignited their mission: To challenge conventional ideas about aging, experiment with science-backed approaches, and empower individuals to take control of their health.
Both brothers attended the summit and explained that the name Zenos came from the word 鈥渮en,鈥 reflecting focus on balance, wellness and mindful living.
Zenos Health Summit also featured booths, with local and international vendors offering insights, products, and samples.
Jeddah-based Saudi entrepreneur Marriam Mossalli, the co-founder of Powder Beauty, said she was keen to bring a Saudi perspective to the summit.
She told Arab News: 鈥淚鈥檓 the co-founder of Powder Beauty, Saudi鈥檚 first dedicated clean beauty and wellness platform, and I鈥檓 super excited to be here in Diriyah for the Zenos Health Summit.
鈥淚 think what is really exciting about this sector is the fact that we have so much knowledge here that is based on our tradition and our heritage.
鈥淚 think we naturally go into wellness 鈥 whether it鈥檚 grounding ourselves when we pray or by meditating. I think there are a lot of synergies there we could share with the outside world so it鈥檚 not just about us importing their knowledge but exporting ours.鈥
The summit featured a distinguished lineup of international experts in wellness, longevity, and integrative medicine.
Among the speakers was Dr. Mark Hyman, founder of the Cleveland Clinic Center for Functional Medicine, and author of 15 bestsellers. Harvard-trained Saudi physician Dr. Walid Fitaihi, founder of the International Medical Center in Jeddah, was also present.
Other participants included Dr. Vonda Wright, orthopedic surgeon and longevity researcher; Dr. Amy Shah, double board-certified physician and nutrition specialist; and Ben Azadi, wellness coach and advocate for metabolic health.
Nutrition and women鈥檚 wellness experts Cynthia Thurlow and Courtney Swan highlighted the role of food and lifestyle in long-term vitality at the event.
The panelists reflected a growing global movement toward holistic, personalized, and preventive health.
Saudi crown prince offers condolences to Kuwaiti PM on passing of high-ranking official Sheikh Ali
Sheikh Ali represented Kuwait听in various high-ranking positions throughout his career
Updated 24 October 2025
Arab News
RIYADH: Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman made a phone call on Friday to Sheikh Ahmed Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, Prime Minister of Kuwait, to extend his condolences on the passing of Sheikh Ali Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah who died aged 75.
Throughout his career, Sheikh Ali represented Kuwait in various high-ranking positions, including at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and as director of the European Department at the foreign ministry.
The crown prince prayed that God grant the deceased mercy and forgiveness, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Sheikh Ahmed thanked Prince Mohammed for his kind sentiments, SPA added.
