Hajj 2025: Muslims ‘stone the devil' as pilgrimage nears end
The ritual commemorates Abraham's stoning of the devil at the three spots where it is said Satan tried to dissuade him from obeying God's order to sacrifice his son.
CLICK: For our coverage of this year's Hajj
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- Arab News
St. Regis Riyadh's GM wins Hotelier Middle East award
The St. Regis Riyadh has announced that their General Manager Marina Krasnobrizhaya has been awarded GM of the Year — Luxury Properties, Middle East by Hotelier Middle East, marking a defining moment in the hotel's remarkable journey of excellence and recognition. Since its grand opening, The St. Regis Riyadh has reimagined luxury hospitality in the Kingdom — seamlessly blending the storied legacy of the St. Regis brand with the cultural richness of Saudi Arabia. From its bespoke guest rituals to its refined design and exceptional dining venues, the hotel has become a symbol of elegance, sophistication, and modern prestige. Under Krasnobrizhaya's dynamic leadership, the hotel has emerged as one of the most celebrated properties in the region, earning multiple prestigious industry accolades, including: Best Luxury Hotel in Riyadh, Best New Business Hotel, Best Lounge in Riyadh for the iconic Stella Sky Lounge, and Best Afternoon Tea in the City, a tribute to The St. Regis signature ritual, elegantly reinterpreted in Riyadh. 'Each award reflects the hotel's deep commitment to curating unforgettable experiences, blending international standards with local artistry and spirit,' a press statement said. 'Whether it's an elevated business stay, a sunset at Stella Sky Lounge, or the celebrated afternoon tea in The Drawing Room, every detail is thoughtfully designed to honor the brand's heritage while resonating with today's sophisticated traveler.' 'Krasnobrizhaya's recognition by Hotelier Middle East is a testament to her visionary leadership and relentless drive to foster a culture of excellence. Her role has been instrumental in positioning The St. Regis Riyadh as a flagship of luxury in the Middle East and a benchmark for service innovation in Saudi Arabia's hospitality landscape,' the hotel said. 'As The St. Regis Riyadh continues to shape the capital's luxury narrative, this award marks not only an individual achievement but a collective triumph for the entire team that brings the brand's legendary legacy to life each day.' Located in the heart of the capital, the hotel is a landmark of modern elegance and Arabian grandeur. With its signature butler service, immersive rituals, and a dedication to exceptional service, the hotel is redefining luxury for the Kingdom's new era.
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- Argaam
Saudi Arabia posts SAR 27B BoP travel surplus in Q1 2025
Saudi Arabia achieved a record balance of payment (BoP) surplus of approximately SAR 26.8 billion for travel in Q1 2025, compared with a year earlier, driven by a significant increase in spending by international visitors. Spending by inbound tourists reached a record SAR 49.4 billion in Q1 2025, marking a 10% hike compared to Q1 2024, according to Ministry of Tourism. Accordingly, the first-quarter travel surplus grew by 12% year-on-year (YoY), the ministry said, citing data from the Saudi Central Bank (SAMA). Travel surplus represents the difference between the spending of inbound and outbound travelers. Spending by outbound travelers reached SAR 22.6 billion by the end of March 2025, up from about SAR 21 billion a year earlier, as shown in the following table: Travel Item Details in BoP in Q1 2025 (SAR bln) Q1 2024 Q1 2025 Change Spending by Inbound Tourists 45.0 49.4 10 % Spending by Outbound Travelers* 21.0 22.6 8 % Surplus 24.0 26.8 12 % *Spending by Saudi nationals and residents The following table shows travel item in BoP since 2016: *Spending by Saudi nationals and residents
Arab News
3 hours ago
- Arab News
International visitor spending in Saudi Arabia hits $13bn in Q1
RIYADH: International tourists spent SR49.37 billion ($13.16 billion) in Saudi Arabia during the first quarter of 2025, a 10 percent increase compared to the same period last year, recent data showed. According to figures released by the Saudi Central Bank, also known as SAMA, the rise pushed the Kingdom's travel account surplus to SR26.78 billion, up 11.7 percent year on year, underlining the sector's growing contribution to the country's non-oil economy. This comes as Saudi Arabia accelerates its Vision 2030 push to position tourism as a pillar of economic diversification, raising its target to 150 million annual visitors by 2030 after surpassing the 100 million mark ahead of schedule. In 2024, the sector hit a milestone, with international tourism revenue soaring 148 percent from 2019 — the fastest growth among G20 nations. Saudi Tourism Minister Ahmed Al-Khateeb, commenting on the sector's performance following the release of the Ministry of Tourism's 2024 Annual Statistical Report in June, said the document 'showcases the sector's remarkable growth and its role in enabling Saudi Vision 2030, a record performance achieved with the support and guidance of the Kingdom's visionary leadership.' The report said that Saudi Arabia welcomed 115.9 million tourists in 2024 — 29.7 million inbound and 86.2 million domestic trips — easily surpassing the Vision 2030 milestone of 100 million visits, five years ahead of schedule. Total visitor spending reached SR283.8 billion, of which SR168.5 billion came from international travelers and SR115.3 billion from domestic tourists. Since Vision 2030's launch, Saudi tourism has expanded at breakneck speed. Inbound arrivals have climbed from 17.5 million in 2019 to 29.7 million in 2024, a 70 percent jump, while their spending ballooned by 63 percent, from SR103.4 billion to SR168.5 billion over the same period. Domestic trips almost doubled, according to the annual report figures, rising from 47.8 million to 86.2 million over the same period. The sector's success is underpinned by multibillion-riyal investments in destination infrastructure. The first island resorts of the Red Sea Project will open later this year, while construction races ahead at NEOM's Trojena mountain resort and Riyadh's heritage-rich Diriyah Gate. Developers are lining up more than 320,000 hotel rooms, and Red Sea International Airport is expected to start commercial flights in 2025, sharpening long-haul connectivity for high-end travelers. Global recognition has followed, with UN Tourism data, cited in the Annual Statistical Report, showing Saudi Arabia ranked first among G20 nations for growth in international tourist numbers in 2024 and second globally compared to pre-pandemic levels. Speaking in April 2024, Ahmad Arab, founder of tourism and hospitality firm DRB Arabia and former deputy minister at the Ministry of Tourism of Saudi Arabia, told GLG Insights the industry is on track to create 1 million tourism-related jobs by 2030, solidifying its place as a cornerstone of the Kingdom's diversifying non-oil economy. A notable trend, according to the Ministry of Tourism's annual report, is the shift toward leisure travel. Non-religious visits accounted for 59 percent of inbound arrivals in 2024, up from 44 percent in 2019, as streamlined e-visas, entertainment seasons, and high-profile sporting events broadened the Kingdom's appeal. Egypt remained the top source market with 3.2 million visitors, followed by Pakistan with 2.8 million and Bahrain with 2.6 million. Makkah Al-Mukarramah led all destinations with 17.4 million overnight foreign visitors, while Riyadh and Jeddah also attracted millions. Domestic tourism is expanding in parallel: trips rose 5 percent to 86.2 million in 2024, fueling record domestic outlays of SR115.3 billion. Leisure remained the top purpose, helped by school-holiday campaigns and new regional festivals. With first-quarter spending at an all-time high and visitor volumes already outpacing long-term targets, Riyadh's next challenge is to sustain capacity growth while maintaining service quality.
