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Saudi Arabia Prepares to Host the WTTC Global Summit

An invitation for experts and investors to participate in the Travel and Tourism Summit in Riyadh at the end of November, via the Metaverse. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
An invitation for experts and investors to participate in the Travel and Tourism Summit in Riyadh at the end of November, via the Metaverse. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Saudi Arabia Prepares to Host the WTTC Global Summit

An invitation for experts and investors to participate in the Travel and Tourism Summit in Riyadh at the end of November, via the Metaverse. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
An invitation for experts and investors to participate in the Travel and Tourism Summit in Riyadh at the end of November, via the Metaverse. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Saudi Arabia announced on Tuesday that it will host, for the first time, the 22nd edition of the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) Global Summit, which will be attended by a prestigious gathering of tourism leaders.

The event will feature a metaverse experience created for potential investors to explore opportunities and take part in some of the sessions that will be livestreamed from the Saudi capital.

Held under the slogan, “Travel for a Better Future”, this year’s Global Summit will bring together investors from around the world to discuss the pressing issues affecting the post-pandemic travel and tourism sector.

A press release noted that the use of the metaverse at the Summit was “a practical example of how the Kingdom is already implementing its pioneering three-year Digital Tourism Strategy that was launched in 2022 as the next step in its development of the sector.”

The statement said that over the next three years, Saudi Arabia plans to encourage experimentation to allow technology innovators to test new digital tourism solutions, to support tourism related extended reality applications and to incorporate technology that makes Hajj visits safer and more efficient than ever for millions of pilgrims. The use of this technology at the Summit is another important step along that road.

Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Tourism, Ahmad Al Khateeb said: “WTTC will be held in Riyadh as tourism enters a new era of recovery… We welcome the world to join us virtually in our metaverse.”

He continued: “Bringing together global leaders from both the public and private sectors, the summit will be fundamental in building the better, brighter future the sector deserves and technology and innovation will be key to our collective future success.”

Saudi Arabia has already started investing in tourism plans that promote innovation, most notably the NEOM city, which has become the most ambitious tourism project in the world. This future city, which is being developed in the northwest of the Kingdom, will be a global showcase for pioneering design and exciting digital experiences, featuring smart cities and research areas.

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Revenue Growth, Improved Operational Efficiency Boost Profitability of Saudi Telecom Companies

A man monitors the movement of stocks on the Saudi Tadawul index. (AFP)
A man monitors the movement of stocks on the Saudi Tadawul index. (AFP)
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Revenue Growth, Improved Operational Efficiency Boost Profitability of Saudi Telecom Companies

A man monitors the movement of stocks on the Saudi Tadawul index. (AFP)
A man monitors the movement of stocks on the Saudi Tadawul index. (AFP)

Telecommunications companies listed on the Saudi Stock Exchange (Tadawul) achieved a 12.46 percent growth in their net profits, which reached SAR 4.07 billion ($1.09 billion) during the second quarter of 2024, compared to SAR 3.62 billion ($965 million) during the same period last year.

They also recorded a 4.76 percent growth in revenues during the same quarter, after achieving sales worth more than SAR 26.18 billion ($7 billion), compared to SAR 24.99 billion ($6.66 billion) in the same quarter of 2023.

The growth in the revenues and net profitability is the result of several factors, including the increase in sales volume and revenues, especially in the business sector and fifth generation services, as well as the decrease in operating expenses and the focus on improving operational efficiency, controlling costs, and moving towards investment in infrastructure.

The sector comprises four companies, three of which conclude their fiscal year in December: Saudi Telecom Company (STC), Mobily, and Zain Saudi Arabia. The fiscal year of Etihad Atheeb Telecommunications Company (GO) ends on March 31.

According to its financial results announced on Tadawul, Etihad Etisalat Company (Mobily) achieved a 33 percent growth rate of profits, bringing its profits to SAR 661 million by the end of the second quarter of 2024, compared to SAR 497 million during the same period in 2023. The company also achieved a 4.59 percent growth in revenues to reach SAR 4.47 billion, compared to SAR 4.27 billion in the same quarter of last year.

The Saudi Telecom Company achieved the highest net profits among the sector’s companies, at about SAR 3.304 billion in the second quarter of 2024, compared to SAR 3.008 billion in the same quarter of 2023. The company registered a growth of 4.52 percent in revenues.

On the other hand, the revenues of the Saudi Mobile Telecommunications Company (Zain Saudi Arabia) increased by about 6.69 percent, as it recorded SAR 2.55 billion during the second quarter of 2024, compared to SAR 2.39 billion in the same period last year.

Commenting on the quarterly results of the sector’s companies, and the varying net profits, the head of asset management at Rassanah Capital, Thamer Al-Saeed, told Asharq Al-Awsat that the Saudi Telecom Company remains the sector leader in terms of customer base expansion.

He also noted the continued efforts of Mobily and Zain to offer many diverse products and other services.

Financial advisor at the Arab Trader Mohammed Al-Maymouni said the financial results of telecom sector companies have maintained a steady growth, up to 12 percent, adding that Mobily witnessed strong progress compared to the rest of the companies, despite the great competition which affected its revenues.

He added that Zain was moving at a good pace and its revenues have improved during the second quarter of 2024. However, its profits were affected by an increase in the financing cost by SAR 26.5 million riyals and a rise in interest, while net income declined significantly compared to the previous year, during which the company made exceptional returns.