Saudi Tourism Awaits Results of Legislative Environment Enhancements

One of the historical sites near AlUla, Saudi Arabia (AFP)
One of the historical sites near AlUla, Saudi Arabia (AFP)
TT

Saudi Tourism Awaits Results of Legislative Environment Enhancements

One of the historical sites near AlUla, Saudi Arabia (AFP)
One of the historical sites near AlUla, Saudi Arabia (AFP)

The tourism sector in Saudi Arabia looks forward to reaping the benefits of the newly established legislative framework for the sector.

Princess Haifa bint Mohammed Al Saud, the Deputy Tourism Minister, has revealed that legislative advancements will directly impact attracting substantial investments to the tourism sector in the Kingdom, both from within Saudi Arabia and abroad.

She also noted that the sector has witnessed significant growth in recent years.

The Kingdom’s Tourism Ministry had launched a list of experimental activities on Monday to enable innovation and promote the growth of this sector, according to Princess Haifa.

This is a continuation of efforts to improve the legislative environment, which is a crucial factor in the development of the tourism sector and achieving the ambitious goals outlined in Saudi Arabia’s National Tourism Strategy introduced in 2019.

During the opening session of the second day of the Saudi Law Conference, Princess Haifa explained that the Ministry of Tourism, through its proactive plans, ensured the development of the legislative framework for the tourism sector.

The ministry has adopted a tourism system that aligns with global best practices in tourism legislation.

This system, implemented worldwide, has been accompanied by the creation of executive regulations.

These legislative changes have significantly contributed to the remarkable growth in the tourism sector in recent years.

As a result, the Kingdom has advanced in the international tourism revenue index and achieved prominent positions in the growth rate of international tourists.

Princess Haifa emphasized that the fundamental cornerstone on which the system is built is the protection of the rights of tourists, investors, and industry workers.

The deputy minister also highlighted the importance of fostering partnerships with legal stakeholders and professionals.

She noted that the ministry, through the tourism system, aims to empower itself with the necessary authority and tools to create a competitive, fair, and attractive investment environment.



Gold Extends Gains as Trump Tariffs Fuel Safe Haven Flows

Gold bars from the vault of a bank are seen in this illustration picture taken in Zurich November 20, 2014. REUTERS/Arnd Wiegmann/File Photo
Gold bars from the vault of a bank are seen in this illustration picture taken in Zurich November 20, 2014. REUTERS/Arnd Wiegmann/File Photo
TT

Gold Extends Gains as Trump Tariffs Fuel Safe Haven Flows

Gold bars from the vault of a bank are seen in this illustration picture taken in Zurich November 20, 2014. REUTERS/Arnd Wiegmann/File Photo
Gold bars from the vault of a bank are seen in this illustration picture taken in Zurich November 20, 2014. REUTERS/Arnd Wiegmann/File Photo

Gold prices rose for a second straight session on Tuesday, but traded below the recent all-time highs, as uncertainty around US President Donald Trump's tariff plans continued to fuel economic growth concerns and safe haven flows into bullion.

Spot gold gained 0.6% at $2,913.79 an ounce as of 0714 GMT. It hit a record high of $2,942.70 last week.

US gold futures added 0.9% to $2,925.50.

"Trump's disruptive modus operandi, aggressive rhetoric and tariffs - whether actual or threatened - could unravel global trade and intricate supply chains," said Nikos Tzabouras, senior financial writer at trading platform Tradu, Reuters reported.

"With uncertainty surrounding the global economy and the broader geopolitical landscape in the Trump 2.0 era, gold is set to remain a natural beneficiary of risk-off flows and central bank buying."

Since taking office last month, Trump has swiftly redrawn the global trade battlefield with a series of tariffs, while plans are already in motion for sweeping reciprocal tariffs, aimed squarely at any nation that taxes US products.

"Gold continues to benefit from the uncertainty surrounding the US. government's tariff policy. Central bank buying should also continue to provide support, even if there is no new data on this," Commerzbank analysts said in a note.

The market's focus has now shifted to the US Federal Reserve's January meeting minutes due on Wednesday for clues into the central bank's interest rate trajectory.

"Price gains are also supported by growing expectations that the Fed will cut rates in 2025 - a sentiment that gained further traction among traders after last week's disappointing US retail sales figures," Ricardo Evangelista, senior analyst at brokerage firm ActivTrades, said.

Bullion benefits from geopolitical and economic uncertainties, as well as rising price pressures, but higher interest rates diminish the asset's allure.

Spot silver fell 0.9% to $32.50 an ounce. Platinum jumped 0.9% to $985.20 and palladium climbed 1.6% to $978.00.