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Riyadh to Host 3rd Edition of Saudi Tourism Forum Under the Slogan ‘To Discover’

A general view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
A general view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Riyadh to Host 3rd Edition of Saudi Tourism Forum Under the Slogan ‘To Discover’

A general view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
A general view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Riyadh is set to host the third edition of the Saudi Tourism Forum from January 7 to 9 at Roshn Front.

Organized in partnership with the Ministry of Tourism, the Saudi Tourism Authority, and the Tourism Development Fund, the event will run under the theme "To Discover."

This year’s forum serves as a dynamic platform to highlight new and unique tourist destinations across the Kingdom, offering visitors innovative experiences while showcasing Saudi Arabia’s diverse tourism potential. With over 100 exhibitors, the forum provides an expansive space to explore the latest developments in the tourism sector, spotlight major investment projects, and foster skill development and partnerships to drive tourism growth.

Chief Executive Officer of 4M Event and Chairman of the Forum’s Organizing Committee Eng. Hamza Nasser emphasized the forum’s role in advancing collaboration within the tourism sector. "Through the forum, we aim to promote the beauty of Saudi tourist destinations, enhance cooperation among stakeholders, and raise awareness about investment and development opportunities. This aligns with the goals of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030,” he said.
Since its inception, the Saudi Tourism Forum has significantly advanced efforts to promote the Kingdom's rich cultural heritage and distinctive tourist sites. Supported by prominent partners and sponsors, the event underscores a shared commitment to developing this vital sector.
The program will feature a variety of seminars and workshops, offering insights into the latest trends and developments in tourism. Attendees will have the opportunity to engage with keynote speakers, decision-makers, and industry professionals, enhancing their skills and knowledge.
The forum is expected to attract a diverse audience, including business leaders, investors, officials, and dignitaries, creating fertile ground for collaboration and partnerships.

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US Applications for Jobless Claims Fall to 201,000, Lowest Level in Nearly a Year

A help wanted sign is displayed at a restaurant in Chicago, Ill., Nov. 25, 2024. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh, File)
A help wanted sign is displayed at a restaurant in Chicago, Ill., Nov. 25, 2024. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh, File)
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US Applications for Jobless Claims Fall to 201,000, Lowest Level in Nearly a Year

A help wanted sign is displayed at a restaurant in Chicago, Ill., Nov. 25, 2024. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh, File)
A help wanted sign is displayed at a restaurant in Chicago, Ill., Nov. 25, 2024. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh, File)

US applications for unemployment benefits fell to their lowest level in nearly a year last week, pointing to a still healthy labor market with historically low layoffs.

The Labor Department on Wednesday said that applications for jobless benefits fell to 201,000 for the week ending January 4, down from the previous week's 211,000. This week's figure is the lowest since February of last year.

The four-week average of claims, which evens out the week-to-week ups and downs, fell by 10,250 to 213,000.

The overall numbers receiving unemployment benefits for the week of December 28 rose to 1.87 million, an increase of 33,000 from the previous week, according to The AP.

The US job market has cooled from the red-hot stretch of 2021-2023 when the economy was rebounding from COVID-19 lockdowns.

Through November, employers added an average of 180,000 jobs a month in 2024, down from 251,000 in 2023, 377,000 in 2022 and a record 604,000 in 2021. Still, even the diminished job creation is solid and a sign of resilience in the face of high interest rates.

When the Labor Department releases hiring numbers for December on Friday, they’re expected to show that employers added 160,000 jobs last month.

On Tuesday, the government reported that US job openings rose unexpectedly in November, showing companies are still looking for workers even as the labor market has loosened. Openings rose to 8.1 million in November, the most since February and up from 7.8 million in October,

The weekly jobless claims numbers are a proxy for layoffs, and those have remained below pre-pandemic levels. The unemployment rate is at a modest 4.2%, though that is up from a half century low 3.4% reached in 2023.

To fight inflation that hit four-decade highs two and a half years ago, the Federal Reserve raised its benchmark interest rates 11 times in 2022 and 2023. Inflation came down — from 9.1% in mid-2022 to 2.7% in November, allowing the Fed to start cutting rates. But progress on inflation has stalled in recent months, and year-over-year consumer price increases are stuck above the Fed’s 2% target.

In December, the Fed cut its benchmark interest rate for the third time in 2024, but the central bank’s policymakers signaled that they’re likely to be more cautious about future rate cuts. They projected just two in 2025, down from the four they had envisioned in September.