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KSA to Chair Arab Tourism Ministers’ Emergency Meeting

Western tourists are seen attending a Formula E race in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia December 15, 2018. REUTERS/Faisal Al Nasser
Western tourists are seen attending a Formula E race in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia December 15, 2018. REUTERS/Faisal Al Nasser
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KSA to Chair Arab Tourism Ministers’ Emergency Meeting

Western tourists are seen attending a Formula E race in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia December 15, 2018. REUTERS/Faisal Al Nasser
Western tourists are seen attending a Formula E race in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia December 15, 2018. REUTERS/Faisal Al Nasser

The Arab League announced the holding of an emergency virtual session of the Arab Ministerial Council for Tourism next Wednesday, under the chairmanship of Saudi Arabia, with the participation of Arab tourism ministers and relevant organizations and unions, to discuss mechanisms to confront challenges imposed by the outbreak of the coronavirus.

The Director of the Department of Transport and Tourism at the Arab League, Dr. Dina Al-Zahir, said in a statement on Wednesday that the League has coordinated with the Saudi Ministry of Tourism, headed by Ahmed bin Aqeel Al-Khatib, to hold a virtual emergency session.

She added that according to the joint statement issued by the Arab Organization for Tourism, the Arab Civil Aviation Organization, and the Arab Air Transport Association, the tourism and travel sector represents 14.2 percent of the Arab countries’ GDP, where it contributes significantly to advancing the economy.

Zahir also noted that the joint statement estimated losses in tourism revenues at about $25 billion, airline companies’ revenues at around $8 billion, and tourism investments at $12.96 billion.

About one million permanent jobs and hundreds of thousands of seasonal jobs could be canceled in the tourism sector, according to the statement.

The Director of the Department of Transport and Tourism emphasized that the Arab Ministerial Council for Tourism praised the efforts taken by Arab countries to contain the outbreak of the novel coronavirus and to impose a number of measures and policies to accelerate recovery from the negative repercussions on the tourism sector.

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Saudi Arabia’s Relief Campaign Continues to Provide Aid in Palestine, Syria

Trucks near Jordan’s Jaber Border Crossing en route to the Syrian capital as part of the air and land relief bridges (SPA)
Trucks near Jordan’s Jaber Border Crossing en route to the Syrian capital as part of the air and land relief bridges (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia’s Relief Campaign Continues to Provide Aid in Palestine, Syria

Trucks near Jordan’s Jaber Border Crossing en route to the Syrian capital as part of the air and land relief bridges (SPA)
Trucks near Jordan’s Jaber Border Crossing en route to the Syrian capital as part of the air and land relief bridges (SPA)

The Saudi Popular Campaign to aid the Palestinian people in Gaza has reached a significant milestone, with donations surpassing SAR714 million (over $190 million) from more than 2.1 million contributors, according to official figures.

Since the outbreak of the war in Gaza on October 7, 2023, Saudi Arabia has dispatched 58 relief aircraft loaded with humanitarian supplies, coordinated by the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) and the Ministry of Defense. The planes have carried shelter materials, food baskets, and medical equipment, all bound for Palestinian civilians in Gaza.

Launched in November 2023 under the directive of King Salman bin Abdulaziz, the campaign has collected both financial and in-kind donations. Contributions include ambulances, medical supplies, food, baby formula, and dates. The initiative began with a generous personal donation of SAR50 million (more than $13 million) from King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

As of March, the total weight of Saudi aid to Gaza via air and sea exceeded 7,188 tons, transported through 58 planes and 8 ships. The aid included shelter items, food and medical supplies, 20 ambulances, 30 power generators, 10 water tanks, and 62 logistical units. Air drops alone delivered over 39,200 ready-to-eat meals and 500 sets of parachute-assisted relief items.

KSrelief has implemented 131 projects in Palestine at a value of more than $514 million. These initiatives have focused heavily on food security, agriculture, health, and shelter, in addition to other sectors.

Meanwhile, the humanitarian crisis in Gaza continues to deepen. On Tuesday, the Gaza Ministry of Health reported the death toll from the Israeli offensive has reached 50,810 since October 7, 2023, with over 115,688 wounded. Since Israel resumed its attacks on March 18, following a two-month ceasefire, 1,449 Palestinians have been killed and 3,647 injured.

In Syria, KSrelief has remained a leading contributor through its “Sahem” donation platform, especially in response to the 2023 earthquake that struck both Syria and Türkiye. Donation opportunities include emergency aid, home reconstruction, and medical support—totaling nearly $140 million.