Google Launches Short Videos Promoting Tourism in Saudi Arabia

Google has launched the first episode of a new series of short videos dubbed “Saraina m3 Google”
Google has launched the first episode of a new series of short videos dubbed “Saraina m3 Google”
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Google Launches Short Videos Promoting Tourism in Saudi Arabia

Google has launched the first episode of a new series of short videos dubbed “Saraina m3 Google”
Google has launched the first episode of a new series of short videos dubbed “Saraina m3 Google”

Google has launched the first episode of a new series of short videos dubbed “Saraina m3 Google” aimed at promoting tourism in Saudi Arabia with the help of Saudi content creators. The series includes three tours in Jeddah, during which the content creators use Google to explore special historic, artistic, and natural destinations. The series is produced in Arabic, and subtitled in English to connect with a wide audience that speaks both languages around the world.

Featuring content creators Sultan al-Badran and Mosab al-Maliki, the first episode covers the artistic and cultural aspects of the city. They tour in the Islamic Arts Biennale and Hayy Jameel, considered the creativity hub in the city center. The second episode highlights the historic “Al Balad” area in Jeddah, while the third episode celebrates the natural aspect of the city with a boat trip in the heart of the Red Sea.

During their tours, Badran and Maliki used google tools including search, maps, and lens to find the local related information.

Dina Al Samhan, head of Google Advertising Partnerships in Saudi Arabia, said: “This series is our first collaboration with Saudi talents to promote the Kingdom in new and creative ways. Google looks forward to collaborate with more local creators to help explore and promote tourism across the kingdom.”

The series features other Saudi content creators including Yazeed al-Dereni and Maram Beeko, as well as Abrar, a Saudi local guide on Google Maps, who shed lights on the importance of supporting local businesses by adding credible reviews on Google Maps.

According to Google's internal data, global searches on Google for Saudi Arabia as a travel destination increased by 160 percent in 2022 year over year. Jeddah was the second most searched travel destination by residents in the Kingdom last year. “Saraina m3 Google” will be posted on Google’s social media channels, and on Google’s official blog in Arabic.



Acropolis Trims Hours Again Amid Greek Heatwave

A drone view of the empty Acropolis, after the authorities closed the site for the hottest part of the day, as a heatwave grips Athens, Greece, July 8,  2025. REUTERS/Stelios Misinas
A drone view of the empty Acropolis, after the authorities closed the site for the hottest part of the day, as a heatwave grips Athens, Greece, July 8, 2025. REUTERS/Stelios Misinas
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Acropolis Trims Hours Again Amid Greek Heatwave

A drone view of the empty Acropolis, after the authorities closed the site for the hottest part of the day, as a heatwave grips Athens, Greece, July 8,  2025. REUTERS/Stelios Misinas
A drone view of the empty Acropolis, after the authorities closed the site for the hottest part of the day, as a heatwave grips Athens, Greece, July 8, 2025. REUTERS/Stelios Misinas

The Acropolis in Athens will limit its operating hours for a second straight day because of heatwave conditions, the Greek culture ministry said Wednesday.

The ministry in a statement said the world-renowned site would be shut till 5:00 pm (1400 GMT) "for the safety of workers and visitors, owing to high temperatures."

The four-day heatwave confirmed by meteorologists began Sunday and is the second to grip Greece since late June.

Temperatures are expected to reach 41 Celsius (105.8 Fahrenheit) on Wednesday, with a maximum of 37 Celsius in Athens, according to national weather service EMY.

The Greek civil protection authority has warned of high fire risk in the greater Athens area, in central Greece and the Peloponnese peninsula on Wednesday.

The heatwave will abate on Thursday.