‘Best yet to come,’ says AlUla tourism chief on launch of global brand campaign

‘Best yet to come,’ says AlUla tourism chief on launch of global brand campaign
The “Forever Revitalising” campaign will unfold through events aimed at travel trade and media partners across six major cities. (SPA)
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Updated 01 March 2024
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‘Best yet to come,’ says AlUla tourism chief on launch of global brand campaign

‘Best yet to come,’ says AlUla tourism chief on launch of global brand campaign
  • Strategy to include events at 6 major cities highlighting ancient location’s modern appeal 

RIYADH: AlUla is only just beginning its journey to becoming a global tourism destination, the region’s tourism chief said on Thursday after the launch of its new global brand campaign.

The “Forever Revitalising” campaign will unfold through events aimed at travel trade and media partners across six major cities: Dubai, London, New York, Paris, Shanghai, and Mumbai, Saudi Press Agency reported.

“In just a few years, AlUla has established itself as a destination on the global traveler’s wish list,” Phillip Jones, chief tourism officer at the Royal Commission for AlUla, said.

He added: “Through this campaign, we can open up the dialogue even further on a global stage, and communicate the full depth of AlUla’s appeal, attributes and ambition. The best is yet to come,” he added.

The campaign includes a two-and-a-half-minute film by French cinematographer Bruno Aveillan.

This film, which can be adapted in length and is available in several languages, showcases the essence of AlUla through its core destination pillars: history and heritage, arts and culture, nature and adventure, and wellness, SPA added.

“Crafting this film was an enriching experience, not only because it allowed me to witness some of the world’s most breathtaking landmarks and locations but also because it offered me a vast canvas to explore the depths of my own creativity — a profound and enduring gift that AlUla bestows upon everyone who walks upon her historic sands and experiences the sheltered embrace of her oasis,” Aveillan said.

Additionally, the campaign features a series of “Brand Pillar” six-second videos that highlight iconic destinations within AlUla, such as Hegra, Jabal Ikmah, AlUla Oasis, AlUla Old Town, Sharaan Nature Reserve, and Elephant Rock.

Other highlights include balloon adventures, luxury accommodation, local arts and crafts, and the lively food and drink scene on offer in AlUla.

Melanie de Souza, executive director of destination marketing at RCU, said: “Forever Revitalising is not only about driving global awareness of a destination that until recently was relatively unknown to most travelers, but also about communicating the breadth and depth of the programs and initiatives designed to create a better future for all those who live, work and visit our ancient oasis.

“We hope that the film and creative assets do justice to a truly unique destination.”

 

The rebirth of AlUla
Hegra, ancient city of the Nabataeans in Saudi Arabia’s historic AlUla Valley, is emerging from the mists of time to take its rightful place as one of the wonders of the world

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Post-Hasina Bangladesh ushers in ‘new horizon’ of diplomacy with Pakistan

Post-Hasina Bangladesh ushers in ‘new horizon’ of diplomacy with Pakistan
Updated 1 min 49 sec ago
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Post-Hasina Bangladesh ushers in ‘new horizon’ of diplomacy with Pakistan

Post-Hasina Bangladesh ushers in ‘new horizon’ of diplomacy with Pakistan
  • Head of Bangladesh interim government has met Pakistani PM twice since taking office on Aug. 8
  • High-ranking Bangladeshi military commander was on a rare, week-long visit to Pakistan last month

DHAKA: The ouster of Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina last August has opened a “new horizon of opportunities” for diplomacy with Pakistan, analysts, political parties and members of the public said, as Dhaka and Islamabad move to befriend each other after decades of acrimonious ties.

Pakistan and Bangladesh were once one nation that split as a result of a bloody civil war in 1971 that saw the part previously referred to as East Pakistan seceding to form the independent nation of Bangladesh.

Hasina’s government, like most before her, was hostile toward Pakistan but closely allied with Pakistan’s archrival and neighbor India, where she remains exiled, leading to strained ties between Dhaka and New Delhi. Exchanges with Islamabad, on the other hand, have started to grow.

The head of Bangladesh’s interim government, Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, has met with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif twice since taking office on Aug. 8 after Hasina fled the country following a popular, student-led uprising against her government. A high-ranking Bangladeshi military leader was also on a rare, week-long visit to Pakistan last month and there are widespread reports in regional media that the Pakistan army will be training Bangladeshi soldiers. Since December, Pakistani artists have been performing in Dhaka while Bangladeshi films have been screened at cinemas in Pakistan. Pakistani cargo ships have also begun to arrive at Bangladesh’s main Chittagong port for the first time since the 1971 war.

“The recent developments, in terms of bilateral exchanges with Pakistan, are a process to normalize the relationship,” Humayun Kabir, a former Bangladesh ambassador to the US, told Arab News.

There was no reason for India to view this development “negatively,” he said.

“We want the relationship between India and Bangladesh to be considered bilaterally, without being influenced by issues with Pakistan. Similarly, our bilateral relationship with Pakistan will continue independently of any issues with India,” Kabir added.

“I think this approach will create a dynamic in the relationship within the broader context of South Asia.”

Opposition political parties against Hasina’s Awami League party government — its archrival the Bangladesh Nationalist Party and the Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, the largest Islamist party that was banned during her rule — were both optimistic about growing Pakistan ties.

“During the previous regime, Sheikh Hasina maintained close ties with only one country. In her own words, she said: ‘What Bangladesh has given to India, India will remember forever.’ This foreign policy was not the right approach,” said Matiur Rahman Akand, a spokesperson for the Jamaat-e-Islami.

Nawshad Zamir, the international affairs secretary of the Bangladesh Nationalist party, also welcomed that the two nations had “resumed normal relationship, like before.”

But the memories of the 1971 war for independence remain alive.

The nine-month-long war was triggered after a 1970 general election yielded a democratic victory for ethnic Bengalis in East Pakistan and Hasina’s father, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, widely regarded as the father of the Bangladeshi nation, was expected to become the prime minister of the whole country. However, army generals ruling West Pakistan launched a military crackdown, triggering a war for independence.

Young Bangladeshis have not forgotten the bloodshed.

Mustafa Musfiq Talukdar, a student at Dhaka University, saw the current political environment as a chance for Bangladesh to become a regional leader but said “Pakistan first needs to deal with the 1971 issue.”

“In 1974, [Pakistan’s then prime minister] Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto came to Bangladesh and he kind of apologized personally, but it wasn’t something formal. So, we demand a formal apology from Pakistan for everything they did in 1971,” Talukdar told Arab News.
Tamim Muntaseer, a Dhaka-based researcher, said a “new horizon of opportunities with Pakistan” had been created after Hasina’s ouster.

“Bangladesh and Pakistan are aligned in terms of their regional economy, trade ... we should also consider people-to-people relationships,” he said.

“I am quite positive about the current developments between Bangladesh and Pakistan,” Tahmid Al Mudassir Choudhury, another Dhaka University student, told Arab News.

“I am not saying that we must forgive everything. Still, we can keep a good relationship with Pakistan ... We have seen that in cricket: Bangladeshi people supporting the Pakistani cricket team, and the people of Pakistan also supporting the Bangladeshi cricket team. We can celebrate those similarities, and this can bring the people of Bangladesh and Pakistan together.”


Kuwait expects 12% rise in budget deficit to $20bn for 2025-2026

Kuwait expects 12% rise in budget deficit to $20bn for 2025-2026
Updated 22 min 21 sec ago
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Kuwait expects 12% rise in budget deficit to $20bn for 2025-2026

Kuwait expects 12% rise in budget deficit to $20bn for 2025-2026

JEDDAH: Kuwait’s government projected its budget deficit to rise by 11.9 percent to 6.31 billion Kuwaiti dinars ($20.4 billion) for the fiscal year 2025-2026, up from the 5.6 billion dinars shortfall estimated for the current fiscal period. 

The Cabinet approved the draft budget on Feb. 2 for the upcoming fiscal year, which will be submitted for final approval by the Emir, Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmed Al-Sabah. 

In a brief statement following an extraordinary meeting, the Cabinet noted that the government expects revenues to total 18.2 billion dinars, a decrease from the 18.9 billion dinars forecast for 2024-2025. Expenditures are projected at 24.5 billion dinars, slightly lower than the 24.6 billion dinars allocated for the current year. 

This comes amid growing economic challenges in Kuwait, with a recent report from the International Monetary Fund forecasting a 2.8 percent contraction in 2024, followed by a recovery in 2025. The IMF highlighted risks related to oil dependence and delays in reforms, though it also noted signs of recovery in the non-oil sector despite a contraction in the oil sector.

Despite the projected deficit for the full fiscal year, Kuwait posted a budget surplus of 150.4 million dinars in the first half of 2024-25, according to Finance Ministry figures released in November. The surplus was attributed to higher revenues and reduced spending. 

The draft budget for the period from April 1, 2025, to March 31, 2026, includes projected oil revenues of 15.3 billion dinars, reflecting a 5.7 percent decline from the current budget. Non-oil revenues are expected to rise by 9 percent, reaching 2.92 billion dinars, as stated by Minister of Finance and Minister of State for Economic and Investment Affairs Noura Al-Fassam. 

The finance minister stated that total estimated revenues decreased by 3.6 percent, with oil revenues, estimated at 15.3 billion dinars, falling by 5.7 percent for the current budget ending on Mar. 31, 2025. 

She added that wages and subsidies are expected to account for 79.5 percent of total spending, with capital expenditures estimated at just 9.1 percent. Additionally, non-oil revenues are projected at 2.92 billion dinars, reflecting a 9 percent increase from the current budget. 

The finance minister noted that the government is budgeting for an oil price of $68 per barrel for the upcoming fiscal year, although the breakeven price needed to cover the fiscal deficit is pegged at $90.5 per barrel. 


Jeddah to host ‘Made in Pakistan’ exhibition

Jeddah to host ‘Made in Pakistan’ exhibition
Updated 23 sec ago
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Jeddah to host ‘Made in Pakistan’ exhibition

Jeddah to host ‘Made in Pakistan’ exhibition

JEDDAH: Jeddah will host the inaugural “Made in Pakistan” Exhibition and Business Forum from Feb. 5-7 at the Jeddah Center for Exhibitions and Events, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Monday.

Organized by the Jeddah Chamber in cooperation with Saudi Arabia’s ministries of commerce and investment, and the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan, the event will feature more than 130 exhibitors from key sectors.

It will showcase specialized Pakistani products, as well as promote investment opportunities and expanded market reach in Saudi Arabia and the region.

The exhibition highlights the strong ties between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, and their shared commitment to enhancing economic cooperation, the SPA reported.

Textiles, agricultural and food products, and leather goods will be on display, showcasing Pakistan’s rich natural resources.

Additionally, the exhibition will feature Pakistan’s renowned handicrafts, reflecting the country’s cultural heritage and centuries-old tradition of craftsmanship and industrial innovation.

The event is for trade professionals on Feb. 5-6 and open to the public on Feb. 7.


Saudi CMA, Insurance Authority forge partnership to strengthen sector oversight

Saudi CMA, Insurance Authority forge partnership to strengthen sector oversight
Updated 25 min 55 sec ago
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Saudi CMA, Insurance Authority forge partnership to strengthen sector oversight

Saudi CMA, Insurance Authority forge partnership to strengthen sector oversight
  • Deal aims to strengthen oversight for insurance firms listed on the Saudi financial market
  • It also seeks to ensure role integration and consistency between the two authorities

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s insurance sector is set to see improved supervision and enhanced growth prospects following a new agreement between the Kingdom’s Capital Market Authority and the Insurance Authority. 

The memorandum of cooperation aims to strengthen oversight for insurance firms listed on the Saudi financial market, while also fostering greater stability and growth within the sector, the Saudi Press Agency reported. 

This aligns with the expected growth of Saudi Arabia’s insurance market, which is projected to reach a gross written premium of $19.27 billion this year, according to German data gathering platform Statista. 

While the US is expected to generate the highest gross written premium at $3.93 trillion, Saudi Arabia’s market is witnessing rapid growth, driven by economic development and increasing awareness of the need for insurance protection. 

The newly signed memorandum aims to ensure role integration and consistency between the two authorities, supporting the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 goals of developing the financial sector to meet its economic and developmental objectives. 

A recent KPMG report revealed a 16.9 percent year-on-year revenue growth in Saudi Arabia’s insurance sector for the third quarter of 2024, driven by increases in motor, property, and medical insurance. It attributed the growth to ongoing economic reforms under Vision 2030, highlighting regulatory measures that have strengthened the sector’s development and stability. 

Medical insurance was a key driver of overall growth, with revenues rising by 13.6 percent, largely due to the government’s implementation of mandatory health coverage regulations, according to the analysis. 

Motor insurance also saw a significant boost, with revenues up 22.7 percent year on year, the report said. 

The analysis added this growth was tied to an expanding auto market and regulatory measures ensuring compliance with insurance requirements. 

The property and casualty insurance segment also experienced strong growth, with a 20.4 percent increase in revenues, reflecting the ongoing expansion of infrastructure and real estate projects across Saudi Arabia. 

The growth comes as the Kingdom’s regulatory body is working to improve the sector’s efficiency and stability while supporting local infrastructure and fostering a thriving business ecosystem, the analysis said. 


10,000 mangroves planted across five regions

10,000 mangroves planted across five regions
Updated 39 min 38 sec ago
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10,000 mangroves planted across five regions

10,000 mangroves planted across five regions

JEDDAH: The National Center for Vegetation Development and Combating Desertification organized mangrove cultivation campaigns across the Kingdom on Feb. 2-3, coinciding with World Wetlands Day.

The campaigns took place in various regions, including Jazan, the Eastern Province, Madinah, Makkah, and Asir, where more than 10,000 saplings were planted, according to the Saudi Press Agency.

The initiative was organized in partnership with the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture and other environmental organizations.

In the Makkah region, the center planted 1,000 mangrove seedlings on Jeddah’s beaches to support biodiversity and sustainable natural resource management, the SPA added.

The initiative saw strong participation from volunteers of all ages, following the center’s launch of several volunteer opportunities to engage local communities in environmental efforts.

The campaign highlighted the vital role of wetlands as unique ecosystems that provide natural climate solutions, enhance environmental sustainability, and restore ecological balance, the SPA reported.

The center is dedicated to developing, protecting, and monitoring vegetation cover sites across the Kingdom while restoring degraded areas.

It also works to detect violations, combat illegal logging, and oversee the management and investment of natural rangelands, forests, and national parks.