Saudi Arabia’s 5 host cities will offer plenty of off-the-pitch action for World Cup visitors

Saudi Arabia’s 5 host cities will offer plenty of off-the-pitch action for World Cup visitors
Sindalah Luxury Resort in NEOM promises to offer world-class accommodation and entertainment options for visitors, setting a new standard for hospitality in the region. (NEOM)
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Updated 22 September 2024
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Saudi Arabia’s 5 host cities will offer plenty of off-the-pitch action for World Cup visitors

Saudi Arabia’s 5 host cities will offer plenty of off-the-pitch action for World Cup visitors

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s bid to host the 2034 World Cup is not only a demonstration of the country’s passion for football, it also represents a major opportunity to showcase its rich culture and renowned hospitality to a global audience.

As it was the only nation to submit a bid to FIFA before the deadline at the end of October last year, the Kingdom looks set to host what would be the largest staging of the tournament in a single country to date, with matches being played in five cities: Riyadh, Jeddah, Abha, NEOM and Alkhobar.

But in addition to the action and excitement on the pitch, Saudi Arabia has plenty more to offer World Cup visitors.

Riyadh:

One place in Riyadh that is sure to be worth exploring is Qiddiya City, a futuristic entertainment hub that is under construction and expected to be a major tourist attraction when it is up and running.

Of particular interest to football fans, the 360-square-kilometer development will include the state-of-the-art Prince Mohammed bin Salman Stadium, with a planned capacity of 46,979.

In the immediate vicinity of the stadium, fans will be able to explore a 50,000-square-meters area bustling with shops, restaurants, cultural attractions and entertainment spaces. There will also be a wide range of other attractions nearby, including a gaming and esports district, a racetrack, theme parks, and a center for the performing arts, Qiddiya City spokesperson Majed Al-Dusaimani told Arab News.




MBS Stadium will be surrounded by a bustling area with 50,000 square meters of shopping, dining, cultural and entertainment spaces. (Supplied)

Accommodation options will be provided to suit all pockets, from the most luxurious hotels and serviced apartments to more budget-friendly offerings.

Elsewhere, Diriyah, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is considered the heart of Riyadh and the historical birthplace of the Kingdom. It offers visitors the chance to immerse themselves in the carefully preserved history of Saudi culture, spanning more than six centuries, alongside the chance to shop and dine in style. This sensitive juxtapositioning of past and present is sure to make Diriyah a must-visit destination for football fans with an interest in the cultural history of the host nation.

Masmak Fortress in Riyadh’s Al-Dirah neighborhood offers another glimpse into the Kingdom's storied past.

Meanwhile, an expansive Royal Arts Complex is planned for the under-construction King Salman Park, which will be one of the world’s largest urban parks when complete. The design of the complex, by Spanish architect Ricardo Bofill, aims to combine modern and traditional Salmani architecture to ensure a memorable visitor experience.




Diriyah, known as the heart of Riyadh and the birthplace of the Kingdom, is a UNESCO World Heritage site. (AN photo)

The Royal Arts Complex will also include a Museum of World Cultures, a National Theater, and the Royal Institute of Traditional Arts.

Visitors will be able to marvel at the Mukaab futuristic structure in the new Riyadh downtown: New Murabaa.

The cubic structure will stand at a height of 400m, and is set to be the tallest building in the city. 

Inside, it will boast numerous cutting-edge entertainment venues, high-end dining and retail offerings, and a vast public art program. 




Al-Murabba is set to become the biggest urban structure globally, with enough space to accommodate 20 Empire State Buildings within its walls. (Supplied)

 

Jeddah:

The Red Sea coastal city of Jeddah is home to bustling markets, stunning waterfront views and a thriving art scene.

Its Historic District, recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, contains vibrant marketplaces and more than 600 historic structures in distinctive traditional architectural styles, showcasing the ingenuity and resilience of the city’s inhabitants through the years.

Jeddah Central is under development as a top-tier entertainment zone featuring four prominent attractions: a museum, opera house, stadium and oceanarium.




Jeddah Central is a top-tier entertainment zone featuring four prominent attractions: a museum, opera house, stadium, and the Oceanarium. (Supplied)

Abha:

Abha, in southwestern Saudi Arabia, offers a refreshing change of scenery, thanks to a cooler climate and particularly picturesque landscapes.

The Soudah Peaks, which include the highest point in the country, are characterized by lush greenery and stunning views that provide the perfect backdrop for fans of the great outdoors, whether they are interested in an activity holiday or simply want to relax.

Visitors also have plenty of options for exploring the city’s rich heritage and traditional architecture.




Soudah Peaks luxury mountain tourism destination in Abha is situated 3,015 meters above sea level. (Soudah.sa) 

NEOM:

This futuristic megacity that is under development in northwestern Saudi Arabia has been designed to be a showcase of the Kingdom’s vision for more sustainable development and urban innovation.

But that does not mean it will be short of attractions for visitors; quite the contrary. The proposed Sindalah luxury resort, for example, promises to offer world-class accommodation and entertainment options.

NEOM will also be home to Trojena, a mountain ski village featuring luxury resorts and a plethora of retail and dining offerings.




Sindalah Luxury Resort in NEOM promises to offer world-class accommodation and entertainment options for visitors, setting a new standard for hospitality in the region. (NEOM) 

Alkhobar:

Visitors to Alkhobar can explore the architectural marvel that is the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture, also known as Ithra, which was built by Saudi Aramco. It was inaugurated in 2016 and is considered a pioneering force in the Kingdom’s artistic and cultural scenes.

The city is also a good base from which to explore Al-Ahsa city, only a 90-minute drive away, which is renowned for its ancient history and archaeological discoveries dating back more than five millennia.

Al-Ahsa is also the world’s largest oasis, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It covers an area of about 30,000 acres, sustained by more than 60 artesian springs.

Shoppers in search of a bargain can explore Al-Qaisariya Souq, a historic market established in 1822, where sellers offer a wide range of products, including handcrafted items, oils and perfumes.


Kingdom’s civil aviation authority launches integrated digital platform, new brand identity

Kingdom’s civil aviation authority launches integrated digital platform, new brand identity
Updated 20 February 2025
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Kingdom’s civil aviation authority launches integrated digital platform, new brand identity

Kingdom’s civil aviation authority launches integrated digital platform, new brand identity
  • Aim is to improve operational efficiency, transparency and GACA’s regulatory role

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s civil aviation authority has launched a new integrated digital platform and brand identity.

The General Authority of Civil Aviation’s changes, which includes an updated website, was announced at its headquarters in Riyadh on Wednesday, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The new platform, named Ajwaa, provides all civil aviation services, ensuring quick and efficient access for users and creates a fully digital environment for stakeholders, the SPA reported.

The aim is to improve operational efficiency, transparency, and GACA’s regulatory role, the report stated.
 

The event was attended by Saleh bin Nasser Al-Jasser, Saudi Arabia’s transport minister and chairman of GACA’s board, Abdulaziz bin Abdullah Al-Duailej, president of GACA, vice presidents, CEOs, and other officials.

Al-Duailej said the slogan for the Ajwaa platform is “Together for New Horizons.”


Geological wonders of Riyadh’s King Khalid Royal Reserve

Geological wonders of Riyadh’s King Khalid Royal Reserve
Updated 20 February 2025
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Geological wonders of Riyadh’s King Khalid Royal Reserve

Geological wonders of Riyadh’s King Khalid Royal Reserve
  • Al-Urumah mountains have caves, rock columns, stone bridges
  • Rock formations record past environmental, climatic changes

RIYADH: The King Khalid Royal Reserve is one of the nation’s most captivating areas with rock formations sculpted over thousands of years by natural erosion and fluctuating climatic conditions.

Formerly known as the Al-Thumamah Wildlife Park, the royal reserve is less than an hour’s drive from the city center.

Among the main geological features in the reserve are the Al-Urumah mountains, known for their striking natural caves, rock columns, and stone bridges.
 

With the arrival of winter and cooler temperatures, the reserve becomes a perfect destination for ecotourism and outdoor adventure enthusiasts. (SPA)

Stretching over 700 km, the dramatic landscape provides an ideal destination for photography and adventure enthusiasts, the Saudi Press Agency reported recently.

These landscapes hold a geological record that reveals the environmental and climatic changes the region has experienced over time.

In winter, the reserve becomes a perfect destination for ecotourism, the SPA reported.

 


Trump thanks crown prince for holding Russia-Ukraine peace talks

Trump thanks crown prince for holding Russia-Ukraine peace talks
Updated 20 February 2025
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Trump thanks crown prince for holding Russia-Ukraine peace talks

Trump thanks crown prince for holding Russia-Ukraine peace talks
  • US president praises Kingdom for ‘great job’ in hosting talks
  • War would not have started ‘if I was president,’ Trump says

RIYADH: US President Donald Trump has praised Saudi Arabia for a “great job” in hosting Russia-Ukraine peace talks, and thanked Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for facilitating the discussions in Riyadh.

Trump, speaking on Wednesday at the opening of the Future Investment Initiative Institute Summit in Miami, which runs until Feb. 21, said he hopes that a ceasefire could be achieved soon.

Trump said the conflict, which began three years ago this month, would not have started had he been president.

He said Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky “talked the US into spending $350 billion to go into a war that could not be won, that never had to start and never would have started if I was president.”

Senior US and Russian officials attended the meeting in Riyadh on Tuesday to start working toward ending the war in Ukraine. The meeting was attended by senior Saudi Arabia officials, but no Ukraine representatives.

Trump said that Zelensky could have attended the discussions in Riyadh had he wanted to do so.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the two sides agreed broadly to pursue three goals: to restore staffing at their respective embassies in Washington and Moscow, create a high-level team to support Ukraine peace talks, and to explore closer relations and economic cooperation.

In his wide-ranging speech, Trump touched on efforts to cut government waste and boost energy production, as well as his foreign policy objectives.

Dignitaries included Yasir Al-Rumayyan, the governor of the Saudi Public Investment Fund, and Princess Reema bint Bandar, Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to the US.

Also in attendance was billionaire Elon Musk, who heads a new US federal entity — the Department of Government Efficiency — meant to cut wasteful expenditure.


Digital Cooperation Organization signs multiple memorandums of understanding as fourth general assembly ends

Digital Cooperation Organization signs multiple memorandums of understanding as fourth general assembly ends
Updated 20 February 2025
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Digital Cooperation Organization signs multiple memorandums of understanding as fourth general assembly ends

Digital Cooperation Organization signs multiple memorandums of understanding as fourth general assembly ends
  • Secretary-general says event marked 4 years of progress

AMMAN: The Digital Cooperation Organization signed numerous memorandums of understanding during its fourth general assembly in Amman, which concluded on Wednesday.

The memorandums were signed between the DCO and the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Foundation, Hewlett-Packard, the Agency for Economic Cooperation and Development, the Sultanate of Oman and 500 Global.

A statement of intent was also signed between the DCO and the UN Office for South-South Cooperation.

The signings came after a delegation from the DCO visited Jordan’s Prime Minister Jaafar Abdel Fattah Hassan.

Sami Smeirat, the Jordanian minister of digital economy and entrepreneurship, and the chairman of the DCO Council, said that Jordan’s presidency of the organization in 2024 had demonstrated the country’s ability to lead global efforts toward building an inclusive digital economy.

He said: “Throughout this year we have launched ambitious initiatives, strengthened public-private partnerships, and laid solid foundations to empower youth and women in the technology sector.”

Smeirat spoke of the 2025 presidency, which was handed to Kuwait.

He said: “We hand over the presidency to our brothers in the State of Kuwait. We reaffirm Jordan’s commitment to remaining an active partner in achieving the organization’s goals. We look forward to continuing our joint efforts to realize our shared vision: a digital world marked by prosperity and fairness for all.”

Deemah Al-Yahya, the secretary-general of the DCO, said that the general assembly marked four years of progress for the organization.

The secretary-general highlighted DCO’s upcoming ambitions, adding: “While we have achieved much over the past four years, there is still important work ahead to drive digital economic growth for all.”

Wednesday’s event featured panels and discussions with leading experts from across the world.

The DCO was founded in November 2020 and currently has 16 nations as members, including Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Pakistan, Bahrain, Bangladesh and Oman. It also has 39 observer and partner organizations.


Piece of Kaaba’s Kiswah gifted to Uzbekistan’s Center of Islamic Civilization

Minister of Hajj and Umrah Tawfiq Al-Rabiah and President Shavkat Mirziyoyev in Tashkent. (SPA)
Minister of Hajj and Umrah Tawfiq Al-Rabiah and President Shavkat Mirziyoyev in Tashkent. (SPA)
Updated 19 February 2025
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Piece of Kaaba’s Kiswah gifted to Uzbekistan’s Center of Islamic Civilization

Minister of Hajj and Umrah Tawfiq Al-Rabiah and President Shavkat Mirziyoyev in Tashkent. (SPA)
  • Minister of Hajj and Umrah Tawfiq Al-Rabiah is currently on a visit to the Central Asian country
  • He handed over the piece of cloth to Uzbekistan’s President Shavkat Mirziyoyev

RIYADH: A piece of the holy Kaaba’s Kiswa was gifted by the Kingdom to the Center of Islamic Civilization in Uzbekistan, Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday.

Minister of Hajj and Umrah Tawfiq Al-Rabiah, currently on a visit to the Central Asian country, handed over the piece of cloth to President Shavkat Mirziyoyev at the directive of King Salman.

Mirziyoyev commended the Kingdom’s efforts to develop Hajj and Umrah experiences and facilitate the journeys of Uzbek pilgrims to the Kingdom, the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah said.