Saudi Arabia Puts More Emphasis on Boosting Tourism

Historical sites are attractive to tourists and a focal point for investment (AFP)
Historical sites are attractive to tourists and a focal point for investment (AFP)
TT

Saudi Arabia Puts More Emphasis on Boosting Tourism

Historical sites are attractive to tourists and a focal point for investment (AFP)
Historical sites are attractive to tourists and a focal point for investment (AFP)

Saudi Arabia’s tourism industry has been making strides over the past few years, as billion-dollar projects and initiatives were launched and major decisions, such as the Saudi Season initiative and the decisions to make tourist visas available. These strides have highlighted the country's major touristic potential, shedding light on the attractive destinations of its diverse regions.

The Kingdom aims for tourism to contribute from about 3% of GDP to 10% of GDP by 2030. The most recent initiative taken to this end was the establishment of the Tourism Development Fund, to which 15 billion Riyals (4 billion dollars) have been allocated to develop the private sector and encourage investment.

Earlier this week, the Crown Prince, Deputy Prime Minister, Chairman of the Council of Economic and Development Affairs, and Chairman of the Public Investment Fund Mohammad bin Salman Al-Saud agreed to the formation of the Tourism Development Fund’s board of directors. The board that is headed by Mr. Amed Al-Khateeb, Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Tourism, includes Princess Haifa bint Mohammed Al-Saud, Muhammad Al-Omran, and Muhammad Al-Hawqal. The Council of Ministers approved the structure of the Tourism Development Fund during its most recent meeting this Tuesday.

Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat, the experts emphasized the importance of this fund and said they were confident that it will strengthen Saudi Arabia’s tourism sector.

Nabeel Koshak, the CEO of Saudi Venture Capital Company, said that the fund is one of the many bodies that support the tourism industry system and its development by providing investment opportunities, stressing that it will incentivize local or international investment in this sector and small and medium enterprises, which he says are of significant importance because of the large number of people they employ.

Abdulaziz Al-Omran, an economic analyst, said tourist initiatives in Saudi Arabia, like those of Diriyah and Al-Ula, have been gaining increasing prominence, noting that they showcase the beauty of Saudi Arabia’s diverse cities, each of which has its unique characteristics.

These projects, in addition to the "hospitable" nature of Saudi society, make the kingdom a popular destination. He adds that the fund will stimulate investment in the tourism sector, which will create many jobs in the future, and its development is vital for continued job creation.



Hezbollah’s ‘Statelet’ in Syria’s Qusayr Under Israeli Fire

Smoke billows from al-Qusayr in western Syria following an attack. (SANA)
Smoke billows from al-Qusayr in western Syria following an attack. (SANA)
TT

Hezbollah’s ‘Statelet’ in Syria’s Qusayr Under Israeli Fire

Smoke billows from al-Qusayr in western Syria following an attack. (SANA)
Smoke billows from al-Qusayr in western Syria following an attack. (SANA)

Israel has expanded its strikes against Hezbollah in Syria by targeting the al-Qusayr region in Homs.

Israel intensified its campaign against Hezbollah in Lebanon in September and has in the process struck legal and illegal borders between Lebanon and Syria that are used to smuggle weapons to the Iran-backed party. Now, it has expanded its operations to areas of Hezbollah influence inside Syria itself.

Qusayr is located around 20 kms from the Lebanese border. Israeli strikes have destroyed several bridges in the area, including one stretching over the Assi River that is a vital connection between Qusayr and several towns in Homs’ eastern and western countrysides.

Israel has also hit main and side roads and Syrian regime checkpoints in the area.

The Israeli army announced that the latest attacks targeted roads that connect the Syrian side of the border to Lebanon and that are used to smuggle weapons to Hezbollah.

Qusayr is strategic position for Hezbollah. The Iran-backed party joined the fight alongside the Syrian regime against opposition factions in the early years of the Syrian conflict, which began in 2011. Hezbollah confirmed its involvement in Syria in 2013.

Hezbollah waged its earliest battles in Syria against the “Free Syrian Army” in Qusayr. After two months of fighting, the party captured the region in mid-June 2013. By then, it was completely destroyed and its population fled to Lebanon.

A source from the Syrian opposition said Hezbollah has turned Qusayr and its countryside to its own “statelet”.

It is now the backbone of its military power and the party has the final say in the area even though regime forces are deployed there, it told Asharq Al-Awsat.

“Qusayr is critical for Hezbollah because of its close proximity to the Lebanese border,” it added.

Several of Qusayr’s residents have since returned to their homes. But the source clarified that only regime loyalists and people whom Hezbollah “approves” of have returned.

The region has become militarized by Hezbollah. It houses training centers for the party and Shiite militias loyal to Iran whose fighters are trained by Hezbollah, continued the source.

Since Israel intensified its attacks against Hezbollah in Lebanon, the party moved the majority of its fighters to Qusayr, where the party also stores large amounts of its weapons, it went on to say.

In 2016, Shiite Hezbollah staged a large military parade at the al-Dabaa airport in Qusayr that was seen as a message to the displaced residents, who are predominantly Sunni, that their return home will be impossible, stressed the source.

Even though the regime has deployed its forces in Qusayr, Hezbollah ultimately holds the greatest sway in the area.

Qusayr is therefore of paramount importance to Hezbollah, which will be in no way willing to cede control of.

Lebanese military expert Brig. Gen Saeed Al-Qazah told Asharq Al-Awsat that Qusayr is a “fundamental logistic position for Hezbollah.”

He explained that it is where the party builds its rockets and drones that are delivered from Iran. It is also where the party builds the launchpads for firing its Katyusha and grad rockets.

Qazah added that Qusayr is also significant for its proximity to Lebanon’s al-Hermel city and northeastern Bekaa region where Hezbollah enjoys popular support and where its arms deliveries pass through on their way to the South.

Qazah noted that Israel has not limited its strikes in Qusayr to bridges and main and side roads, but it has also hit trucks headed to Lebanon, stressing that Israel has its eyes focused deep inside Syria, not just the border.