Ship features 19 decks and 1,678 cabins and suites, can accommodate up to 3,362 passengers
Updated 10 December 2024
Arab News
Riyadh: Cruise Saudi, dedicated to advancing the Kingdom’s cruise industry, has introduced its first ship, AROYA, at Jeddah Islamic Port.
The ship’s launch marks a significant step toward bolstering maritime tourism across the Kingdom, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The vessel, which features 19 decks and 1,678 cabins and suites, can accommodate up to 3,362 passengers.
It offers a diverse culinary experience with 12 restaurants and 17 cafes, serving dishes from five continents while highlighting Saudi flavors.
AROYA is equipped with various entertainment facilities, including a shopping area, a 1,018-seat theater, a children’s zone, and prayer areas, according to the SPA.
It also features designated women’s hours in health and entertainment venues, along with extensive sports amenities such as a walking track, and football and basketball courts.
Visitors can buy, sell, and trade rare and limited-edition sneakers
Updated 8 sec ago
Hajar AlQusayer
RIYADH: Sneaker Con in Riyadh has opened its doors to enthusiasts and collectors, offering a platform to buy, sell, and trade rare and limited-edition items as part of Riyadh Season.
Billed as “The Greatest Sneaker Show on Earth,” Sneaker Con is one of the world’s largest sneaker conventions, which has previously been held in cities across North America, Europe, and Asia. Its Riyadh edition — the first in Saudi Arabia — runs until Feb. 19 at ANB Arena.
A pair of signed sneakers by basketball player Michael Jordan, featured at Sneaker Con Riyadh. (AN photo by Hajar AlQusayer)
The event provides visitors with the opportunity to engage with industry experts and meet influencers in the sneaker community.
One visitor, Fares Indejani, highlighted the growing sneaker culture in Riyadh, pointing out that sneakers have become an integral part of personal style and expression. He told Arab News about the impact of the event on the local sneaker community.
These sneaker communities are micro-communities that are often isolated and don’t really have a dedicated space. But this event changes that … you can just walk in and meet others like you.
Fares Indejani, Sneaker enthusiast
“These sneaker communities are micro-communities that are often isolated and don’t really have a dedicated space,” he said. “But this event changes that … you can just walk in and meet others like you.
Visitors engaging with various shops and exploring exclusive sneakers at Sneaker Con Riyadh. (Supplied)
“You get an idea of what direction we’re heading toward, and that’s valuable knowledge for investors and business owners,” he added. “Really knowing what kind of communities are popping up, seeing how loud and real they are, and recognizing that they exist, have a voice, and are moving, is crucial.”
Abdulmohsen Al-Ahmari, another visitor, said the event provides an opportunity to see sneakers that are not typically available.
“Making connections at Sneaker Con and getting to know people helps me later,” he said.
Chase Young, a sneaker trader and founder of Culture Kicks, said: “There are people with crazy pairs of shoes and a lot of different collectors’ items here, and very high-end shoes, so (the market) is definitely big here.”
Sneaker Con features more than 150 brands showcasing curated collections of rare sneakers, fashion items, and accessories.
Tourism Ministry launches second executive master’s program to develop Saudi tourism leadership
Ministry spokesperson Mohammed Al-Rasasimah said that, through the executive master’s program, the ministry works to provide key opportunities for Saudi tourism professionals to receive advanced education and training
Updated 19 sec ago
Arab News
RIYADH: The Saudi Ministry of Tourism has unveiled a second executive master’s program, offering four educational packages and teaming up with three prestigious European hospitality institutions — Les Roches in Spain and EHL and Glion in Switzerland, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The program aims to train 300 Saudi professionals in international tourism and hospitality management, advancing expertise in the Kingdom’s tourism sector.
Under the ministry’s “Ahluha” initiative, which has already trained more than 100,000 Saudi citizens, domestically and internationally, in 2024. The program focuses on equipping participants with modern management techniques and high-quality resource management skills for the tourism industry.
Candidates must meet rigorous eligibility criteria, including an honors bachelor’s degree in tourism-related fields, minimum five years of professional experience, proven English language proficiency, willingness to travel for training requirements, and successful completion of a personal interview.
According to SPA, the program builds on the success of its first edition, in which 198 graduates completed managerial training at leading Spanish and Swiss institutions.
Ministry spokesperson Mohammed Al-Rasasimah said that, through the executive master’s program, the ministry works to provide key opportunities for Saudi tourism professionals to receive advanced education and training.
He said the program represents a strategic investment in developing Saudi tourism leadership.
“This initiative is crucial for preparing the next generation of Saudi leaders who will drive our growing tourism sector,” he said.
“We are focused on enhancing our national workforce’s capabilities, expanding their horizons and exposing them to global best practices in tourism management,” he added.
Children had the opportunity to show their artistic skills in the Story and Drawing Corner in which the little ones transformed stories into paintings that reflected their creative visions
Updated 57 sec ago
SPA
RIYADH: The Diriyah Storytelling Festival, which concluded on Feb. 8, aimed to encourage a love of reading and storytelling in young children.
As part of a series of events in Diriyah Season boasting the theme “Entertain Your Cultural Curiosity,” the festival transformed Diriyah into a magical world for children, one in which they moved between pavilions.
Photo/Saudi Press Agency
In the Story Village, young visitors listened to inspiring tales told by professionals.
Shadow Shows, meanwhile, transported children to realms inspired by the book “Kalila and Dimna,” offering a unique visual experience that blended art with literature.
Photo/Saudi Press Agency
Children also had the opportunity to show their artistic skills in the Story and Drawing Corner in which the little ones transformed stories into paintings that reflected their creative visions.
The interactive performances were no less captivating, presenting historic tales inspired by Diriyah’s rich heritage in a theatrical, interactive format that encouraged children to actively engage. This added a rich educational and cultural dimension to their experience.
The initiative was organized to strengthen the Kingdom’s role as a hub for arts and literature on the world stage.
Sri Lankan envoy celebrates diplomacy, independence
The envoy highlighted the strong diplomatic relationship between Saudi Arabia and Sri Lanka
Updated 1 min 10 sec ago
Arab News
RIYADH: Sri Lanka’s ambassador in Riyadh, Omar Lebbe Ameer Ajwad, gave a speech on the 77th anniversary of Sri Lankan independence and 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Kingdom and Sri Lanka on Feb.5 at the Cultural Palace, Diplomatic Quarters in Riyadh on Feb.5.
“I take this opportunity to extend my sincere greetings to all the Sri Lankan nationals living in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on the occasion of the 77th Independence Day of Sri Lanka,” he said.
The envoy’s speech focused on Sri Lanka’s politics, tourism and economy.
He also highlighted the strong diplomatic relationship between Saudi Arabia and Sri Lanka.
“Although the modern diplomatic relations between Sri Lanka and Saudi Arabia were established 50 years ago, the ancient diplomatic relations between the two countries, in fact, began in the 7th century A.D., when the then King of Sri Lanka, called Aggabodhi III (623-640 AD) dispatched his ambassador from Sri Lanka to Madina Al-Munawwarah on a factfinding mission at the time of Prophet Muhammad to learn about the new religion of Islam. This incident is reported in the Ajaib-Al-Hind by Ibn Shahriyar,” he said.
The two sides discussed the Saudi fund’s development activities in Argentina
Updated 1 min 16 sec ago
Arab News
RIYADH: Sultan Al-Marshad, the CEO of the Saudi Fund for Development, received the Argentine Minister of Foreign Affairs Gerardo Werthein and his accompanying delegation in Riyadh on Saturday.
The two sides discussed the Saudi fund’s development activities in Argentina, its official account wrote in a post on X.
Al-Marshad recently received the Executive Director and Secretary-General of the International Desalination and Reuse Association Shannon McCarthy, and the parties discussed ways to cooperate to help support the water sector in developing countries around the world.
