黑料社区

Locals embrace short getaways while foreign pilgrims spend in KSA

Locals embrace short getaways while foreign pilgrims spend in KSA
Saudi travelers to Dubai showed a preference for convenient airport shopping and a strong appetite for luxury, with Dubai Duty Free Stores being among one of their favorite places to splurge.
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Updated 10 min 51 sec ago

Locals embrace short getaways while foreign pilgrims spend in KSA

Locals embrace short getaways while foreign pilgrims spend in KSA

Travelers from 黑料社区 took full advantage of this year鈥檚 extended Eid Al-Adha break, turning the six-day (June 5-10) holiday into an opportunity for cultural exploration, both at home and abroad. While many residents jetted off for short international getaways, the Kingdom also welcomed millions of foreign pilgrims during the Hajj season, driving a steady increase in travel to 黑料社区 and spending.

According to Visa鈥檚 Travel Pulse: Eid Al-Adha Edition, international travel by Saudi residents rose by 25 percent compared to the same period in 2024. This growth was driven by a strong preference for shorter trips, with 69 percent of travelers from the Kingdom opting for brief weekend getaways. They also made 21 percent more purchases abroad and spent 13 percent more overall this Eid, reflecting a preference to maximize the holidays with quick trips abroad.

This Eid, international getaways became an opportunity for many Saudi travelers to indulge in retail experiences. Shopping led the way across all major destinations, influencing not just how people spent, but also where they chose to go.

鈥AE led as the top international destination, welcoming 14 percent of Saudi travelers and accounting for 23 percent of total international spend. With an average spend of $635 per card, fashion took center stage 鈥 seven of the top 10 merchants were in the shopping and apparel category. Among the top brands were Dubai Duty Free Stores, Hermes, and Cartier, reflecting both a preference for convenient airport shopping and a strong appetite for luxury. Dining and entertainment were also high on the agenda.

鈥ine percent of travelers went to Turkiye, making it the second most popular destination. It captured 15 percent of overall holiday spend with each visitor spending an average of $653 per card.

鈥hile the UK attracted a smaller share of travelers from 黑料社区 (6 percent) and overall spend (12 percent), it captured the highest spend per card at $839. This figure reflects the destination鈥檚 premium retail appeal, with shopping leading how Saudi visitors chose to spend.

Meanwhile, the Hajj season continued to play a meaningful role in 黑料社区鈥檚 economic landscape. Compared to the same period last year, the Kingdom saw a 7 percent increase in the number of foreign pilgrims, who made 16 percent more purchases during their stay. While overall spending grew by 4 percent, key shopping categories remained unchanged, including food, medicine, and other everyday needs, with smaller portions of spend going toward clothing and travel-related services.

鈥淲hether it鈥檚 a short break or a meaningful pilgrimage, having a simple and secure way to pay matters at every step of the journey,鈥 said Ali Bailoun, regional general manager for 黑料社区, Bahrain and Oman at Visa.聽

鈥淲e are proud to support that through our unique data insights and seamless, reliable payment solutions, and to contribute to the Kingdom鈥檚 Vision 2030 by helping create more connected, inclusive and seamless payment experiences across borders.鈥

For businesses and banks, Visa鈥檚 Travel Pulse offers unique insights to improve the payment experience for Saudi Visa cardholders traveling abroad or opting for local experiences.


Hankook Tire participates in 鈥楳obility Live 2025鈥

Hankook Tire participates in 鈥楳obility Live 2025鈥
Updated 32 sec ago

Hankook Tire participates in 鈥楳obility Live 2025鈥

Hankook Tire participates in 鈥楳obility Live 2025鈥

Global tire company Hankook Tire and Technology participated in Mobility Live Middle East 2025, the region鈥檚 premier mobility exhibition, held from June 24 to 25 at the Dubai World Trade Center.

Mobility Live Middle East 2025 is the region鈥檚 largest mobility exhibition, centered around the future of transportation 鈥 including electric vehicles, smart infrastructure, and sustainable public transit. This year鈥檚 event brought together more than 10,000 experts, 1,000 VIP buyers, and over 250 participating brands, offering insights into future market trends.

Making its second consecutive appearance at the event, Hankook Tire reinforced its leadership in world-class EV tire technology. At its booth, the company showcased its premium EV product lineup tailored for Middle Eastern driving environments. Featured products included the 鈥渋ON鈥 brand 鈥 the world鈥檚 first full lineup of EV-exclusive tires 鈥 comprising the high-performance 鈥渋ON evo,鈥 the summer tire 鈥渋ON GT,鈥 and the 鈥渆-SMART City AU56鈥 for electric buses.

In particular, the iON evo was recognized for its outstanding braking and handling performance, earning the top ranking in a recent tire comparison test conducted by Auto Bild, an automotive magazine in Germany.

The e-SMART City AU56, a truck and bus radial tire, offers optimized mileage performance compared to previous models. 

It incorporates advanced tread block technology to deliver improved grip and extended tread life.

鈥淗ankook Tire continues to strengthen its premium brand presence and expand its footprint in the Middle East EV tire market through a range of strategic initiatives,鈥 said Jongwoo Kim, head of Hankook Tire鈥檚 Middle East and Asia division. 鈥淢obility Live provided an exceptional platform to showcase the innovation behind our 鈥榠ON鈥 brand, which leads the way in promoting sustainability in the future mobility sector through the use of advanced eco-friendly materials.鈥 He added, 鈥淚n line with the UAE鈥檚 vision to accelerate EV adoption and its broader sustainability goals under the UAE Net Zero 2050 strategy, our participation in Mobility Live highlights our commitment to supporting the region鈥檚 clean mobility transformation. We are also reviewing Vision 2030 roadmaps set by each ESG steering committee to re-evaluate our current position and establish a refreshed mid- to long-term strategy for the decade ahead.鈥


St. Regis Riyadh鈥檚 GM wins Hotelier Middle East award

St. Regis Riyadh鈥檚 GM wins Hotelier Middle East award
Updated 02 July 2025

St. Regis Riyadh鈥檚 GM wins Hotelier Middle East award

St. Regis Riyadh鈥檚 GM wins Hotelier Middle East award

The St. Regis Riyadh has announced that their General Manager Marina Krasnobrizhaya has been awarded GM of the Year 鈥 Luxury Properties, Middle East by Hotelier Middle East, marking a defining moment in the hotel鈥檚 remarkable journey of excellence and recognition.

Since its grand opening, The St. Regis Riyadh has reimagined luxury hospitality in the Kingdom 鈥 seamlessly blending the storied legacy of the St. Regis brand with the cultural richness of 黑料社区. From its bespoke guest rituals to its refined design and exceptional dining venues, the hotel has become a symbol of elegance, sophistication, and modern prestige.

Under Krasnobrizhaya鈥檚 dynamic leadership, the hotel has emerged as one of the most celebrated properties in the region, earning multiple prestigious industry accolades, including: Best Luxury Hotel in Riyadh, Best New Business Hotel, Best Lounge in Riyadh for the iconic Stella Sky Lounge, and Best Afternoon Tea in the City, a tribute to The St. Regis signature ritual, elegantly reinterpreted in Riyadh.

鈥淓ach award reflects the hotel鈥檚 deep commitment to curating unforgettable experiences, blending international standards with local artistry and spirit,鈥 a press statement said. 鈥淲hether it鈥檚 an elevated business stay, a sunset at Stella Sky Lounge, or the celebrated afternoon tea in The Drawing Room, every detail is thoughtfully designed to honor the brand鈥檚 heritage while resonating with today鈥檚 sophisticated traveler.鈥

鈥淜rasnobrizhaya鈥檚 recognition by Hotelier Middle East is a testament to her visionary leadership and relentless drive to foster a culture of excellence. Her role has been instrumental in positioning The St. Regis Riyadh as a flagship of luxury in the Middle East and a benchmark for service innovation in 黑料社区鈥檚 hospitality landscape,鈥 the hotel said.

鈥淎s The St. Regis Riyadh continues to shape the capital鈥檚 luxury narrative, this award marks not only an individual achievement but a collective triumph for the entire team that brings the brand鈥檚 legendary legacy to life each day.鈥

Located in the heart of the capital, the hotel is a landmark of modern elegance and Arabian grandeur. With its signature butler service, immersive rituals, and a dedication to exceptional service, the hotel is redefining luxury for the Kingdom鈥檚 new era.


Petromin and Foton sign four-party MoU to establish commercial vehicle manufacturing plant in 黑料社区

Petromin and Foton sign four-party MoU to establish commercial vehicle manufacturing plant in 黑料社区
Updated 02 July 2025

Petromin and Foton sign four-party MoU to establish commercial vehicle manufacturing plant in 黑料社区

Petromin and Foton sign four-party MoU to establish commercial vehicle manufacturing plant in 黑料社区

Petromin Corporation, Foton, the Ministry of Investment, and the National Industrial Development Center signed a four-party memorandum of understanding to explore the establishment of an integrated commercial vehicle manufacturing plant in 黑料社区.

The agreement is in line with Saudi Vision 2030 efforts to strengthen the Kingdom鈥檚 industrial sector and localize high-value manufacturing.

The initiative will develop local capabilities in manufacturing and logistics, strengthen supply chains, and increase localization rates in the vehicle sector.

The scope of production will include heavy-duty trucks, light-duty trucks, and buses.

Amr Al-Dabbagh, chairman and CEO of Al-Dabbagh Group, owner of Petromin, said: 鈥淭his step aligns with our ambitions to promote a diversified economy based on industry and technology. We take pride in this partnership with Foton, who are No. 1 in the Chinese commercial vehicle market. This partnership acts as a strong catalyst to deliver high-quality commercial vehicles that meet market expectations and support achieving Vision 2030 objectives.鈥

Chang Rui, chairman of BAIC Foton, added: 鈥淲e are proud of our partnership with Petromin to localize commercial vehicle manufacturing. Through this collaboration, we aim to transfer advanced technology to the Saudi market and provide innovative and sustainable mobility solutions benefiting businesses and consumers alike.鈥

The project is backed by the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources, the Ministry of Investment, the National Industrial Development Center, the Saudi Industrial Development Fund, and the Local Content and Government Procurement Authority.

It is expected to create job opportunities for national talent, support the growth of small and medium-sized enterprises, and contribute to the Kingdom鈥檚 shift toward a sustainable, advanced industrial economy.

With its rich history and expertise in the automotive industry, Petromin is a leading provider of comprehensive automotive solutions in the Middle East.

The company is committed to fostering innovation within the community and ensuring customer satisfaction through high-quality products and services.

Meanwhile, Foton, the No. 1 commercial vehicle manufacturer in China, has established a global presence in the industry.

It focuses on producing high-quality commercial vehicles through strategic partnerships with leading industry manufacturers such as Daimler (Mercedes-Benz), ZF Transmission, Cummins Engines, and others.

Its partnership with Petromin provides a unique opportunity to enhance its presence in the Saudi market, leveraging Petromin鈥檚 local expertise and market presence.


Saudi dermatologist first in region to receive ILDS honor

Saudi dermatologist first in region to receive ILDS honor
Updated 01 July 2025

Saudi dermatologist first in region to receive ILDS honor

Saudi dermatologist first in region to receive ILDS honor

In a significant international milestone for 黑料社区, Dr. Saad bin Sami Al-Sogair, a leading Saudi dermatologist, has been awarded the 2025 International Leadership Medal by the International League of Dermatological Societies 鈥 one of the highest honors globally in the field of dermatology.

This prestigious award is presented annually to individuals who demonstrate exceptional international leadership, influence in public health policy, and who contribute meaningfully to global collaboration in skin health and medical education.

Dr. Al-Sogair is the first dermatologist from the GCC countries to receive this recognition. He was nominated by the Saudi Society of Dermatology and Dermatologic Surgery and was selected from a record number of distinguished candidates worldwide.

This achievement is widely seen as a testament not only to Dr. Al-Sogair鈥檚 personal dedication and leadership, but also to the growing influence of 黑料社区 in global medical and scientific advancement. The announcement has been met with widespread praise in academic, clinical, and policy circles and is considered a source of national pride.

Professor Henry W. Lim, president of ILDS, congratulated the recipients, saying: 鈥淭hese annual awards celebrate exceptional contributions by dermatologists and related professionals in advancing skin health worldwide. Each of our worthy recipients have significantly improved the lives of people living with skin diseases, whether through international leadership or humanitarian efforts.

鈥淓ach of this year鈥檚 recipients is an inspiration. We extend our warmest congratulations and heartfelt thanks for their exceptional service to the field of dermatology.鈥

Dr. Abdullah bin Sulaiman Al-Akeel, president of the Saudi Society of Dermatology and Dermatologic Surgery, said: 鈥淲e are extremely proud of Dr. Saad Al-Sogair for this historic recognition. His award not only reflects his tireless work and leadership but also highlights the Kingdom鈥檚 increasing global standing in dermatology. This comes at a significant moment, as Riyadh is currently bidding to host the 2031 World Congress of Dermatology, a global platform to showcase Saudi excellence in skin health.鈥

The ILDS International Leadership Medal honors individuals whose work has had a sustained global impact in areas such as medical education, innovation across borders, and international dermatologic collaboration.

This recognition aligns closely with Saudi Vision 2030, which seeks to enhance the Kingdom鈥檚 international presence in science, research, and healthcare innovation.


Cluster meet Phase 2 winners honored at Indian school

Cluster meet Phase 2 winners honored at Indian school
Updated 01 July 2025

Cluster meet Phase 2 winners honored at Indian school

Cluster meet Phase 2 winners honored at Indian school

The prize distribution ceremony for the 33rd cluster meet Phase 2 was held on June 27 in the boys鈥 auditorium of the host school, International Indian School Jeddah. The program was meticulously planned and executed to mark the end of a successful series of interschool sports competitions.

Around 825 students from 21 schools across the Kingdom participated in the second phase held from June 23 to 27. The event covered athletics and field events, table tennis and basket ball for boys.

The ceremony commenced with a soulful recitation of the holy Qur鈥檃n, followed by a bouquet presentation to the chief guest Fahad Ahmed Khan Suri, consul general of India, who was warmly welcomed along with members of the school鈥檚 managing committee, principals of participating schools, guests and student participants.

The welcome address was delivered by IISJ Principal Dr. Mohammed Imran, who expressed appreciation for the spirit of sportsmanship displayed by students throughout the meet.

Following the welcome, head of the physical education department Adil Akhtar Khan presented a report on the cluster meet, highlighting key events, participation statistics, and notable achievements across the various sports disciplines. The report reflected the tremendous efforts and coordination that went into organizing the event and the enthusiasm shown by all participating schools.

An insightful overall observation was then shared by Mohammed Sirajuddin, a physical education teacher from Riyadh X-Zone, who commended students for their energy and commitment, and acknowledged the high level of competition witnessed over the past few days. He also expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the host school鈥檚 PE teacher and his dedicated team for their exceptional efforts and true spirit of sportsmanship in organizing and managing the event seamlessly.

In her speech, Farheen Taha, a member of the IISJ managing committee, emphasized the importance of physical education and interschool collaboration in holistic student development.

The highlight of the evening was the inspiring address by chief guest Suri, who praised the organizing team for their efforts and encouraged students to maintain a balance between academics and physical fitness. Quoting Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he said 鈥淜helega India, tabhi toh khilega India,鈥 meaning 鈥淲hen India plays, India prospers,鈥

A lively musical interlude came next with a song performance by the students, which received resounding applause from the audience.

Girls Section Vice Principal Farhadunnisa delivered the vote of thanks.

Adding an element of fun and excitement, the mascot of the cluster meet 鈥淎ltius鈥 was introduced amidst cheers and applause. The mascot energized the crowd and symbolized the spirit of sportsmanship and unity.

The much-awaited prize distribution ceremony followed, where winners of various tracks, and field and team events were felicitated. Medals, trophies, and certificates were awarded to recognize outstanding performances. The overall championship trophy was awarded to IISJ for their consistent excellence across events.

The ceremony concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Vice Principal of IISJ Girls鈥 Section Farhadunnisa, who expressed gratitude to the organizing committee, volunteers, sponsors, participants, and guests for making the event a grand success.