Asir’s deputy emir discusses tourism challenges

Asir’s deputy emir discusses tourism challenges
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The prince reviewed the efforts being made by government agencies, educators and the media to promote the benefits of tourist destinations and experiences in the region. (SPA)
Asir’s deputy emir discusses tourism challenges
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The prince reviewed the efforts being made by government agencies, educators and the media to promote the benefits of tourist destinations and experiences in the region. (SPA)
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Updated 01 August 2024
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Asir’s deputy emir discusses tourism challenges

Asir’s deputy emir discusses tourism challenges

ABHA: The deputy emir of Asir, Prince Khalid bin Sattam, said that it is important to harness all local capabilities to ensure that tourists and other visitors to the region are able to fully enjoy all the attractions and services it has to offer.

He was speaking during his weekly meeting at the Royal Hall in Al-Khalidiya, Abha, that he hosts to discuss with residents and officials the issues and challenges facing the region and its people. Also present were representatives of government departments and the military, tourist guides, students from the College of Tourism and Hospitality at King Khalid University, and tourism operators.

The prince reviewed the efforts being made by government agencies, educators and the media to promote the benefits of tourist destinations and experiences in the region, including the diverse terrain and moderate climate. He highlighted ways in which the sector is developing in line with the goals of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 plan for national development and diversification, as part of a strategy to position the region as a global tourism destination all year round.


Archaeologists find ancient urban development in Baha

Archaeologists find ancient urban development in Baha
Updated 13 sec ago
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Archaeologists find ancient urban development in Baha

Archaeologists find ancient urban development in Baha
  • Excavations reveal advanced architecture, artifacts from more than 1,000 years ago

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Heritage Commission has completed the third season of the archaeological excavation project at the Al-Ma’mala site in the Baha region, continuing efforts to document the Kingdom’s heritage.

The excavations uncovered evidence of urban development more than a millennium old, shedding light on the historical aspects of archaeological sites in the Kingdom.

Excavators found granite stone walls, some with mud bricks and gypsum plaster, reflecting advanced building techniques, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Tuesday.

The walls, standing 50-120 cm high and 50-80 cm wide, demonstrate the era’s architectural skill.

The dig revealed two well-preserved residential complexes. The first has three rooms, four storage areas, five basins and two hearths. The second features three rooms, two storage spaces, four basins, a hearth, a clay oven and two supporting pillars.

These structures highlight the community’s efficient spatial organization and versatile building design, the SPA added.

The excavation uncovered 230 pottery pieces, both glazed and unglazed, featuring distinctive geometric patterns.

The team also found 48 stone artifacts, 26 colored glass pieces in green and gray, 35 metal implements and 17 stone tools, including pestles, grinders and millstone fragments used in crushing raw materials.

These findings suggest a thriving commercial and industrial center, the SPA reported.

Al-Ma’malah’s strategic location, 13 km east of Al-Aqiq and 45 km from Baha, was key to its historical significance. The site lies near the ancient Darb Al-Feel (Elephant Road) trade route, which connected southern Arabia to northern regions in pre-Islamic times, making it economically important.

This route later became a major pilgrimage path during the Islamic era, leading to the growth of villages and cities along its path.

The Heritage Commission continues to conduct extensive surveys and excavations across Saudi Arabia using advanced survey techniques and field methods. These efforts aim to document and preserve the Kingdom’s history while raising public awareness of its cultural heritage.


Riyadh’s royal institute launches craft initiative

Riyadh’s royal institute launches craft initiative
Updated 31 December 2024
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Riyadh’s royal institute launches craft initiative

Riyadh’s royal institute launches craft initiative

RIYADH: The Royal Institute of Traditional Arts will launch the Wrth Community initiative on Saturday, marking the beginning of its year-long celebration of the “Year of Handicrafts” in 2025.

The initiative will feature a series of meetings, dialogues with leading figures in the field and educational workshops, all held at the institute’s headquarters in Riyadh, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

It seeks to revitalize and modernize traditional handicrafts by incorporating contemporary design and technologies, foster collaboration among institutions and the local community, and highlight the crucial role of traditional arts in preserving cultural identity.

The initiative will also help individuals to use these arts in innovative ways through specialized training, the SPA added.

It covers a diverse range of areas — education, handicrafts and entrepreneurship — and features dialogue sessions, providing a platform for skill development, experience exchange and fostering creativity and innovation.


KSrelief steps up aid projects in Yemen, Gaza

KSrelief steps up aid projects in Yemen, Gaza
Updated 31 December 2024
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KSrelief steps up aid projects in Yemen, Gaza

KSrelief steps up aid projects in Yemen, Gaza

RIYADH: KSrelief has signed an agreement with a civil society organization to implement the water and sanitation project in Yemen’s Hajjah governorate, benefiting 30,422 people with $1.1 million in funding.

The project includes drilling and rehabilitating solar-powered wells, installing pumping networks, building and restoring tanks, and setting up water desalination plants.

The project will also facilitate the transportation and distribution of water by trucks, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Ahmed Al-Baiz, assistant supervisor general of operations and programs at KSrelief, signed the deal in Riyadh.

Meanwhile, Saudi aid convoys carrying 4,494 shelter kits arrived in northern Gaza to support residents and displaced families, the SPA reported.

The kits include blankets, mattresses, cooking utensils and water containers to help families cope with the harsh conditions.

The Saudi Center for Culture and Heritage, KSrelief’s executive partner in Gaza, will begin immediate distribution to alleviate suffering amid severe cold and the ongoing siege.


Saudi defense minister meets UAE leader in Abu Dhabi

Saudi defense minister meets UAE leader in Abu Dhabi
Updated 31 December 2024
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Saudi defense minister meets UAE leader in Abu Dhabi

Saudi defense minister meets UAE leader in Abu Dhabi

DUBAI: Saudi defense minister Prince Khalid bin Salman Al-Saud has met on Tuesday UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed in Abu Dhabi.
The Saudi minister wrote on his personal account on X, “I had the honor to convey the greetings of our leadership, and we reviewed the fraternal relations between our two brotherly countries, and discussed regional and international developments as well as issues of common interest.”


Museums Commission appeals for applicants in virtual reality competition

Museums Commission appeals for applicants in virtual reality competition
Updated 31 December 2024
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Museums Commission appeals for applicants in virtual reality competition

Museums Commission appeals for applicants in virtual reality competition
  • Invitation to place spotlight on Kingdom’s cultural heritage 

RIYADH: The Kingdom’s Museums Commission has appealed for applicants for its virtual reality competition, an innovative initiative aimed at enhancing education and promoting technological advancement in the sector, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The competition, which opened on Dec. 6, invites young people to create immersive and interactive educational experiences that utilize virtual reality to spotlight Saudi Arabia’s cultural heritage and help transform the role of museums in society, the SPA added.

The competition targets a diverse range of participants, including students and graduates specializing in information technology, computer science, digital design, and fine arts.

Developers and programmers with an interest in virtual reality, as well as artists and designers keen to blend technology with art, have also been encouraged to apply.

The initiative also welcomes culture enthusiasts with a technological background who want to explore VR applications in museums, as well as storytellers with a passion for narrating the history and civilization of their cities or regions.

Successful participants will undergo a four-month training program designed to develop their skills in virtual reality design and programming.

The competition will unfold in four stages: the selection of trainees, VR training and development, the creation of interactive educational experiences, and the evaluation and judging of entries.

Winners will be celebrated through regional ceremonies held across the Kingdom.

The Museums Commission said its ambition was to inspire future generations and foster a deeper appreciation for cultural heritage through the initiative. By integrating cutting-edge technology and storytelling, the competition aims to reimagine museums as dynamic platforms for learning and engagement, it added.

Registration for the competition can be made on the official Museums Commission website and its social media channels.