The Saudi Royal Court issued an official statement on Wednesday announcing the passing of His Royal Highness Prince Faisal bin Turki bin Abdullah Al Saud bin Faisal Al Saud. This announcement underscores the central role of the Royal Court in disseminating all matters pertaining to the Royal Family in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, as it is the official and authorized channel for such important news.

Historical context and ancient lineage

The late prince belonged to a significant and historic branch of the esteemed Al Saud family, tracing his lineage directly back to Imam Turki bin Abdullah bin Muhammad Al Saud, founder of the Second Saudi State, and his grandson, Imam Faisal bin Turki. This lineage connects him to a rich history of leadership and governance in the Arabian Peninsula, placing him within a historical context that reflects the deep roots of the ruling family that established the foundations of modern Saudi Arabia. The passing of any member of this distinguished lineage is a momentous event that touches the national and historical memory of the Kingdom.

Details of the prayer and its significance

According to the statement issued, the funeral prayer for the deceased will be held tomorrow, Thursday, the third of Sha'ban, 1447 AH, after the Maghrib prayer at the Grand Mosque in Mecca. The choice of the Grand Mosque for the prayer carries great symbolic significance, honoring the deceased's stature and reflecting the profound religious importance that the state and the ruling family place on Islamic rituals, as worshippers from all over the world will gather to bid farewell to the departed in the holiest place on earth.

Importance and impact

The Royal Court's announcement of such news is the official procedure followed in the Kingdom, ensuring that the news reaches citizens, residents, and the media accurately and reliably. These announcements are typically followed by an outpouring of condolences from senior state officials, members of the Royal Family, and the Saudi people at large, as well as messages and statements of condolence from leaders of brotherly and friendly nations, thus highlighting the Kingdom's and its ruling family's standing on both the regional and international stages.

The Royal Court statement concluded with a prayer for the deceased, asking God Almighty to “envelop him in His vast mercy, forgiveness, and pleasure, and grant him a spacious place in Paradise.” These words reflect feelings of grief and sorrow, and embody the deeply rooted Islamic traditions of showing mercy and praying for the deceased, traditions that are an integral part of the social and cultural fabric of the Kingdom. To God we belong, and to Him we shall return.

In a new testament to the success of the national transformation strategies, the tourism sector in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is poised to achieve a historic leap, as initial estimates issued by the Ministry of Tourism indicate that total tourism spending will reach approximately 300 billion riyals during 2025, achieving a growth rate of 6% compared to 2024. This figure is not merely a statistical achievement, but reflects the depth of the transformation that the sector is witnessing and its growing contribution as one of the main pillars of the national economy.

General context: Vision 2030 as an engine for transformation

This rapid growth is one of the most significant outcomes of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, which has placed the tourism sector at the heart of its plans to diversify income sources and reduce dependence on oil. Since the Vision’s launch, the Kingdom has embarked on a comprehensive transformation journey, a key milestone of which was the introduction of the electronic tourist visa in 2019, opening the Kingdom’s doors to visitors from around the world. This was accompanied by the establishment of a supportive regulatory and legislative infrastructure aimed at facilitating investment and improving the tourism business environment, attracting substantial local and international investments to develop world-class destinations and resorts.

The importance of the event and its expected impact

Reaching this level of tourism spending carries significant economic, social, and cultural dimensions. Domestically, this spending translates into the creation of hundreds of thousands of direct and indirect job opportunities for Saudi youth, supports the growth of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that form the backbone of the hospitality and services sector, and fosters the development of local communities in various tourist destinations. Regionally, this record performance solidifies Saudi Arabia's position as a leading tourism powerhouse in the Middle East, creating a healthy competitive dynamic and contributing to the integration of tourism offerings across the region. Internationally, this success helps to change the stereotypical image of the Kingdom, highlighting it as a global destination rich in cultural, natural, and historical diversity, capable of attracting a wide range of tourists, from adventure and nature enthusiasts to those interested in culture, history, and entertainment.

Drivers of sustainable growth

This achievement was not a coincidence, but rather the result of diligent work on several parallel fronts. Alongside regulatory reforms, the Kingdom invested in developing major tourism projects such as NEOM, the Red Sea Project, Qiddiya, and AlUla, which offer unique and innovative tourism experiences. The tourism product was also diversified to include hosting major international events in sports, entertainment, and culture throughout the year, such as Riyadh Season and Formula 1 races. These efforts are complemented by global promotional campaigns and initiatives to develop human capital, ensuring an exceptional tourism experience befitting the Kingdom's stature and future aspirations, which aim to increase the sector's contribution to GDP to 10% by 2030.