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The city's governor and the Minister of Tourism promote local tourism content

The city's governor and the tourism minister are leading an initiative to boost local tourism content within Vision 2030. Discover how this contributes to diversifying the Saudi economy.

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The city's governor and the Minister of Tourism promote local tourism content

Analysis of tourism growth in Saudi Arabia

As part of ongoing efforts to bolster the local economy, Saudi Arabia has witnessed remarkable development in its tourism sector, supported by Vision 2030, which aims to diversify income sources and reduce reliance on oil. A workshop titled "Developing Local Content for the Tourism Sector in the Region" was held under the patronage of the Governor of Madinah Region, Prince Salman bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz, and in the presence of the Minister of Tourism, Ahmed bin Aqeel Al-Khatib.

Key figures and statistics

The Minister of Tourism indicated that the Kingdom exceeded the 100 million tourist mark for the second year in a row, as it received about 116 million local and international tourists in 2024. This figure represents a growth rate of more than 6 compared to 2023. Among these visitors, there were about 30 million international tourists, with a growth rate of more than 8.

By the end of the third quarter of this year, the total number of visitors - according to preliminary figures - reached approximately 90.7 million visitors from inside and outside the country, reflecting a growth rate of 4% compared to last year.

Economic impact of tourism growth

This remarkable growth in the tourism sector strengthens the Kingdom's position on the international stage. According to the UN Tourism Organization's May 2025 Tourism Barometer report, Saudi Arabia ranked first globally in terms of growth in international tourism revenues in the first quarter of 2025 compared to the same period in 2019.

In the Madinah region specifically, the number of international visitors reached approximately 6.7 million in the first half of 2025, representing an 8% increase compared to the previous year. Their spending also rose to around SAR 24.3 billion, reflecting a 21% growth rate.

The significance of the figures and their impact on the local and global economy

Sustainable growth: These figures reflect the Kingdom's ability to achieve sustainable growth in a vital non-oil sector such as tourism. This transformation contributes significantly to economic diversification and reduces reliance on traditional oil revenues.

Attracting investments: Rapid growth is attracting more foreign and domestic investment into the hospitality sector and tourism-related infrastructure, creating new job opportunities and boosting regional development.

Future prospects and the general economic context

Continued growth: With continued government support and new initiatives such as developing tourist destinations and improving infrastructure and logistics, this upward trend in tourism growth is expected to continue in the coming years.

Challenges and Opportunities: Despite the strong optimism surrounding the future growth of the Saudi tourism sector, challenges remain related to regional and global competition and fluctuations in global demand due to global economic and political conditions. However, significant opportunities exist if effectively leveraged within the framework of Saudi Arabia's ambitious Vision 2030.

Summary

A Qualitative Leap: The development witnessed in the Saudi tourism sector represents a qualitative leap that reinforces the Kingdom's position as a leading global tourist destination. Thanks to sound policies, strong government support, and meticulous strategic planning within the framework of Saudi Vision 2030, the future looks bright for this vital sector, which plays a fundamental role in achieving sustainable economic development and diversifying national income sources.

The Saudi News Network first launched on Twitter via its official account, @SaudiNews50, and quickly became one of the Kingdom's leading independent news sources, thanks to its fast and reliable coverage of major local and international events. Due to the growing trust of its followers, the network expanded by launching its website, a comprehensive news platform offering regularly updated content in the fields of politics, economics, health, education, and national events, presented in a professional style that meets the public's expectations. The network strives to enhance public awareness and provide accurate information in a timely manner through on-the-ground reporting, in-depth analysis, and a specialized editorial team, making it a trusted source for anyone seeking up-to-the-minute Saudi news.

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Minister of Justice: 43% growth in commercial arbitration supports investment in Saudi Arabia

Minister of Justice Dr. Walid Al-Samaani confirmed that the implementation of arbitration rulings grew by 43% during 2025, pointing to the role of legislation and preventive justice in enhancing investor confidence and the business environment.

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Minister of Justice: 43% growth in commercial arbitration supports investment in Saudi Arabia
Saudi Minister of Justice Walid Al-Samaani

His Excellency the Minister of Justice, Dr. Walid bin Mohammed Al-Samaani, affirmed that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is witnessing a qualitative transformation in its judicial and legislative system, noting that the rapid developments in this sector have directly contributed to consolidating the position of arbitration and alternative dispute resolution as strategic and reliable options for the business sector.

Enhancing legal certainty at the International Arbitration Conference

His Excellency's remarks came during his active participation in the first dialogue session of the Fifth International Conference on Commercial Arbitration, entitled "National Strategy and Global Confidence: Enhancing Legal Certainty and Investor Confidence." The Minister highlighted the strong synergy between the Kingdom's legal, judicial, and financial strategies, explaining that this integration was not accidental, but rather the product of an ambitious vision aimed at building a safe and stable investment environment.

Historical background: A legislative revolution in line with Vision 2030

These statements come amidst an unprecedented legislative movement in Saudi Arabia, driven by the goals of Vision 2030. Over the past few years, the Kingdom has worked to issue and update a range of specialized legislation, such as the Civil Transactions Law, the Evidence Law, and the Companies Law, which have formed a robust legal infrastructure. These reforms have not only aimed to expedite litigation but have also focused fundamentally on "legal certainty," something both foreign and domestic investors seek to guarantee their rights and anticipate the outcomes of their contracts with clarity and transparency.

Figures reflecting confidence: A leap in the enforcement of arbitration rulings

In the language of numbers that reflect the reality of change, Dr. Al-Samaani revealed a remarkable statistic, as the system for implementing arbitration rulings recorded a remarkable growth of 43% during the year 2025. The most significant thing is that commercial arbitration accounted for 50% of this percentage, which is a strong indicator of the increasing confidence of companies and investors in arbitration as a fast and effective way to resolve disputes away from the corridors of traditional courts, supported by the unification of enforcement jurisdiction which eliminated the fragmentation of procedures.

Preventive justice: The future of contractual stability

On another front, the Minister of Justice emphasized that the Ministry is committed to expanding the scope of "preventive justice," a modern concept aimed at preventing disputes before they arise through the documentation of rights. He noted that more than one million electronic contracts have been documented, benefiting over 1.2 million individuals. This approach not only reduces the burden on the courts but also enhances the stability of commercial transactions and mitigates investment risks, making the Kingdom an attractive destination for global capital seeking a clear and efficient legal environment.

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10 million counterfeit products seized in Mecca, according to the 2025 trade report

The Ministry of Commerce report for Makkah 2025 reveals the seizure of 10 million counterfeit products and the implementation of 191,000 field visits, with the delivery of the annual report and efforts to support associations to the Deputy Governor of the region.

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10 million counterfeit products seized in Mecca, according to the 2025 trade report

His Royal Highness Prince Saud bin Mishaal bin Abdulaziz, Deputy Governor of Makkah Region, received the annual report of the Ministry of Commerce branch in the region for the year 2025, during a meeting at the Governorate headquarters in Jeddah with the Director General of the Ministry's branch in the region, Khalil bin Ibrahim Makhsha. The report revealed record figures reflecting the extent of efforts made to protect consumers and enhance commercial compliance in the Holy City.

Record numbers in monitoring and controlling violations

The statistics in the report showed the success of the inspection teams in seizing more than 10 million products that violated regulations and standards. These seizures were the result of intensive field efforts, with the ministry's branches and offices in the region conducting more than 191,000 comprehensive field visits, including more than 9,600 detailed inspection visits targeting specific sectors to ensure their compliance with regulations.

Enhancing the business environment and protecting consumers in line with Vision 2030

These intensified campaigns are part of the National Strategy for Consumer Protection and Combating Commercial Fraud, a cornerstone of the Kingdom's Vision 2030. These efforts aim to create a fair and competitive business environment that guarantees the rights of both consumers and compliant merchants. These efforts are particularly important in the Makkah region due to its religious and geographical significance, as it receives millions of visitors, pilgrims, and Umrah performers annually, necessitating rigorous oversight to ensure the quality of goods and services provided to these guests of God.

Exceptional efforts during religious seasons

The report highlighted the high level of preparedness of the ministry branch during peak seasons, specifically the Hajj and Umrah pilgrimages and the holy month of Ramadan. Operational plans focused on monitoring markets to ensure the availability of essential food and Ramadan-related goods, guaranteeing price stability, and ensuring that retailers complied with regulations. These proactive measures contributed to securing supply chains and meeting the increased demand during these spiritual seasons.

Supporting fisheries and social responsibility

The ministry's efforts were not limited to oversight; they extended to supporting vital sectors and social responsibility initiatives. The report highlighted efforts to support the fisheries sector by providing 200 distress devices, 35 boat engines, and six refrigerated trucks to ensure the safe transport of marine products.

In a humanitarian gesture that reinforces the concept of social solidarity and reduces food waste, the Ministry delivered approximately 100 tons of fruits and vegetables fit for consumption and confiscated from public benefit markets to 14 charitable associations, in addition to distributing 644 kilograms of fish and 11,000 kilograms of red meat to those in need, in accordance with the established regulatory mechanisms.

Digital transformation and serving the business sector

The Ministry of Commerce in the Makkah region has kept pace with technological advancements by providing over 65,000 electronic services to the business sector, streamlining procedures and saving time and effort for investors. The branch also served over 384,000 commercial registrations in the region, reflecting the significant economic activity and increasing growth in commercial activity in Makkah.

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Al-Sawahah: The Digital Cooperation Organization supported the emergence of 16 billion-dollar companies

Minister of Communications Abdullah Al-Swaha reveals the Digital Cooperation Organization's contribution to the emergence of 16 billion-dollar companies, and reviews the Kingdom's achievements in space and artificial intelligence.

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Al-Sawahah: The Digital Cooperation Organization supported the emergence of 16 billion-dollar companies

The Minister of Communications and Information Technology, Engineer Abdullah bin Amer Al-Swaha, affirmed that the Digital Cooperation Organization has become a pivotal player in shaping the features of the new global economy, revealing the growing impact of member countries that represent about 10% of the total world population and contribute approximately $3.6 trillion to the global economy, while achieving remarkable growth rates that exceed the global average, reflecting the success of the digital strategies adopted.

Rapid growth of billion-dollar companies

In his address to the Digital Cooperation Organization's General Assembly meeting in Riyadh, Al-Swaha explained that the enabling environment created by the organization's member states has directly contributed to the emergence of 16 billion-dollar companies (unicorns), in addition to numerous other successful entrepreneurial models. He noted that the organization's member states are now home to more than two million technology specialists, representing a vast human resource capable of leading the digital transformation.

The minister stressed the importance of strengthening joint international action to build an inclusive and sustainable digital future based on trust, empowering young talents, and harnessing advanced technologies, especially artificial intelligence, to serve humanity and drive economic development.

Praise for Kuwait's role and artificial intelligence initiatives

Al-Swaha praised Kuwait's leading role during its presidency of the organization, commending the significant initiatives launched, including efforts to combat disinformation and enhance the flow of reliable data across borders. He also highlighted the launch of the "Responsible Artificial Intelligence" framework, a strategic step towards strengthening the reliability of the global digital environment and ensuring the ethical and safe use of technology.

Saudi global achievements

In reviewing national achievements, Al-Swaha emphasized that Saudi Arabia has made significant strides in the digital economy, citing prominent scientific and research accomplishments. He highlighted the first Nobel Prize won by a researcher from the region for developing AI-based solutions in chemistry, underscoring the immense potential of future technologies in addressing complex scientific challenges.

The minister also touched on the historic achievement of the first Arab Muslim woman participating in a scientific mission to the International Space Station, where she contributed to conducting advanced medical research, reflecting the Kingdom’s commitment to empowering women in the science, space and technology sectors.

Investing in the infrastructure of the future

The Minister of Communications and Information Technology concluded his remarks by emphasizing the need to continue investing in advanced digital infrastructure and to strengthen international partnerships to support the growth of the digital economy in the smart era. He noted that achieving sustainable digital growth requires concerted efforts to serve humanity and ensure the prosperity of the global economy amidst rapid technological changes.

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