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Introduction

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has confirmed its commitment to develop meeting industry, realizing its importance in supporting the economic diversification process and not only relying on oil production and exportation. Therefore, the Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage (SCTH) has taken a number of initiatives to develop the tourism sector, including meetings industry. Hence, the Council of Ministers issued resolution number (246) on the 17th of Rajab 1434H, changing the Standing Committee for Exhibitions and Conferences –created by the Royal Decree (7863 / MB)- into a national program titled "Saudi Exhibition & Convention Bureau (SECB)".

SECB aims at developing and organizing the meeting industry in the Kingdom, working towards its improvement and efficiency, and drawing necessary plans to achieve its objectives, tasks and needs. Moreover, the SECB is also working on overcoming the obstacles facing the growth and development of the meeting industry; such as lack of clarity in regulations and procedures, diversity of references, deficiency in specialized national competencies, lack of high-quality venues, lengthy and complicated licensing procedures, limited information and data. The resolution included the formation of a supervisory committee headed by His Royal Highness Prince Sultan bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud the SCTH President, head of supervisory committee and the membership of a number of public and private entities; this is provided that the duration is five years.

SECB Vis ion

To be pioneers in developing the Saudi meeting industry, creating a more efficient and productive industry.  

SECB Mission

Adopting best practices in monitoring the Saudi meetings industry and promoting internal and external environments to achieve its economic, cultural, social, ecological and political objectives.

SECB Objectives

The SECB seeks to achieve numerous objectives, including:

• Developing and adapting current regulations to promote investments in the Saudi meeting industry.
• Developing centers and cities for business events to enhance the Kingdom's ability to host large and high-quality events.
• Increasing service standards in the Saudi meeting industry to improve the quality of business events.
• Supplying investors and beneficiaries with valuable information, and measuring the economic impact of the Saudi meeting industry and its contribution to GDP.
• Creating job opportunities and developing national human resources to become a key source of support in the Saudi meeting industry.
• Attracting distinguished business events, contributing to the development of the economic and service sectors in the Kingdom and highlighting its position on the national and international level.

SECB Core Values

• TERMS AND CONDITIONS
• PRIVACY AND USAGE POLICY
• USEFUL LINKS

• Get involved

Umbrella Programme for the Saudi Commission for Tourism & National Heritage

What is the project about.

The Umbrella Programme is conceived with the overriding objective of designing a long-term framework for the technical cooperation between the Supreme Commission for Tourism and National Heritage (SCTNH) and the UN System in the context of the strategic national quest for economic diversification, including the increased contribution of promising services sectors such as tourism. The other interrelated objectives of the Programme include assistance in institutional capacity building at SCT as well as providing advisory services in meeting the SCT’s mandate as the central body responsible for activating the tourist industry and strengthening its role as a major contributor to the national economy with a positive social, cultural and environmental impact. The advisory part of the Programme will immediately start responding to the urgent requests of SCTNH in terms of thematic studies and capacity building activities.

Project Achievements

• The employment levels in tourism sector increased, particularly in the rural areas: right now tourism is the second employer of Saudis at 25% of total employment with the possibility of getting this percentage increase by 8%.
• Heritage tourism promoted in terms of adopting sound regulations and conducting marketing campaigns to raise public awareness of this heritage.
• Capacity developed for the inspection process (individual capacity development).
• Tourism business master plan designed and implemented.

Related Documents

• Project Document  

Related Materials

Budget 2017/18

37289_Signed_PD

Annual Workplan 2019/20

Project closure QA_2021

Umbrella Programme for Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities

Activity Web Page

Project Results

Project Tenders

August 2004

December 2020

PROJECT OFFICE

Saudi Arabia

IMPLEMENTING PARTNER

National Execution

GOVERNMENT OF SAUDI ARABIA

TOTAL CONTRIBUTIONS

$41,150,959

DELIVERY IN PREVIOUS YEARS

2012 $4,443,990

2013 $5,497,964

2014 $4,568,058

2015 $7,608,742

2016 $4,139,946

2017 $1,279,316

2018 $3,791,409

2019 $391,290

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WTTC and Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage Announce Partnership to Support Ambitious Plan to Welcome Tourists to Saudi Arabia

Vision 2030 Plan Aims to Make Saudi Arabia a Top Five Global Destination RIYADH  – The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) today announced a partnership with the Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage to make Saudi Arabia a top five inbound destination, with 100 million international and domestic visits, by 2030.  The strategic partnership will harness the power and expertise of WTTC’s global membership, world class events and 30 years’ experience in research and strategic policy work to support Saudi Arabia’s ambitious goals and Vision 2030 plan.  Speaking in Riyadh at the launch of Saudi’s new tourism visa on World Tourism Day, Gloria Guevara, President & CEO of WTTC said “I congratulate Saudi Arabia on its decision to open the country to tourists from across the world and look forward to working together to make Saudi Arabia a must visit destination the world over. Today history is being written! The government has recognised the enormous opportunities tourism can bring to the country and I am delighted to see the changes that the destination is making to drive tourism, such as e-visa on arrival for 49 countries, investment in mega projects and infrastructure development.” According to WTTC’s annual Economic Impact Research data, in 2018 Travel & Tourism directly accounted for 3% of Saudi Arabia’s GDP and supported 0.6 million jobs (5% of employment). Saudi Arabia, with a thriving religious tourism sector, is already the largest Travel & Tourism economy in the Middle East. Guevara continued, “The potential for tourism in Saudi Arabia is limitless. It has a wealth of natural and cultural resources and especially the amazing hospitality of the Saudi people, as yet undiscovered by international, and even many national, travellers. Travel & Tourism growth will not only create jobs and a diverse economy but will also spread a new understanding of Saudi Arabia’s rich culture around the world. We have seen how Travel & Tourism can transform nations and WTTC is delighted to support this new chapter as history is written in Saudi Arabia.” 

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SCTH launches e-services for tourism activity licensing

By Innovation-sa on March 1, 2020 in News

The Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage (SCTH) has launched a set of e-services for online licensing of several tourism activities, thereby facilitating fast-tracking of licensing as well as promoting growth and quality of the tourism sector.

In line with the objectives of Vision 2030 that calls for adoption of electronic advancements and technologies to promote the growth of Kingdom’s tourism sector, SCTH has launched services for issuing licences for a list of tourism activities including trip organization and booking tourist accommodation at its web portal – TLG.scth.gov.sa .

Recently, SCTH has adopted several measures to create an attractive environment for investments in the Kingdom’s tourism sector and to meet the ever rising global demand for tourism in the Kingdom since the launch of the new tourist visa.

https://www.arabnews.com/node/1632651/saudi-arabia

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The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia achieved victory in the bid to host World Expo 2030 in Riyadh, under the captivating theme, “The Era of Change: Together for a Foresighted Tomorrow.” Riyadh is poised to craft an unparalleled Expo edition that will etch an indelible mark on the hearts and minds of its global visitors.

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The higher training institute is set to open in September 2025.

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MILAN — After making strides in digital innovation by launching its metaverse space , enabling students to experiment with advanced tech tools and develop fashion shows powered by AI , Istituto Marangoni is committed to equally emphasizing its physical spaces as well.

On Tuesday, the fashion and design education institution signed a memorandum of understanding with Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Culture through its Saudi Fashion Commission arm for the development of a higher training institute in Riyadh.

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The school’s global managing director  Stefania Valenti  said the move is in sync with the institution’s mission of creating a bridge between the demands of talents eager to work in the industry and companies — which are increasingly looking to Saudi Arabia as a market of interest — as well as its overall international reach. 

The latter leverages a key asset of the school, which is to offer students experiences stretched across its different campuses. While in the past students usually moved among the European fashion capitals, Valenti noted that since opening the campus in Dubai two years ago , many students from Milan or London are requesting to move to Dubai to continue their studies. 

“I was surprised by the trend, I was expecting quite the opposite. But this is a signal, too, and it encourages us to further strengthen our international mindset and open in emerging markets,” Valenti said. “And how not to consider Saudi Arabia? It’s a destination of great interest for fashion and luxury brands.”

Valenti underscored the efforts made by the Saudi Fashion Commission since its establishment in 2020 in building a local fashion ecosystem, fostering local talents and brands and increasing the overall industry’s attractiveness.

“As we inaugurate Istituto Marangoni in Riyadh, we herald a transformative era for local talent within the burgeoning creative landscape of our region,” said Burak Çakmak, the Saudi Fashion Commission’s chief executive officer.

“With demand for quality fashion education on the rise, our partnership underscores the Saudi Fashion Commission’s unwavering commitment to nurturing and empowering creatives. Together, we embark on a journey to shape a vibrant and flourishing fashion community in the heart of the kingdom, laying the foundation for a future where innovation thrives and creativity knows no bounds,” Çakmak said.

Valenti recalled how the local organization reached out to the school in 2022, when it was opening its Dubai campus. As the institution was focusing all its energies on its new outpost, it agreed to work with the Saudi Fashion Commission for a few years on research and surveys to assess the local market’s needs.

“Plus this is a young market overall, as 38 percent of the population is under 25 years old,” Valenti said. “Women currently account for around 33 percent of the Saudi workforce in general, but this number is expected to increase, especially if we look to the fashion and luxury industries.”

With the fashion education sector still underdeveloped, Istituto Marangoni and the Saudi Fashion Commission aim to fill the gap of professional profiles that could be employed both at international companies expanding in the region as well as helping to lead the rise of the local fashion movement.

“There are plenty of American and English groups investing in the area, especially in retail by opening malls for one, as well as many Italian brands,” Valenti said. “So we’re looking to train students in retail and buying, in addition to our core, like fashion design. But also in everything related to promotion: There are Saudi brands that need to enhance their collections and image via look books, campaigns, fashion shows, also because the Saudi Fashion Commission is working to bring these labels to Milan, Paris and New York for networking and visibility.”

In addition to surveys, the two organizations tested local interest by launching an online course last year. Valenti was surprised by the attendance, as 600 people requested to take part in the professional classes, which were eventually made available for 100 students only. The executive said more sessions and promotional activities will be implemented in the lead-up to the opening of the school, the location of which is still being finalized.

Classes at the campus will be offered in English, with the main three-year academic program available in areas such as fashion design, fashion management, fashion product, fashion styling and creative direction, to name a few. Students will have the opportunity to choose whether to complete the program in Riyadh and embark on a six-month internship during their last year or complete studies for a bachelor degree at any international Istituto Marangoni outpost.

A range of professional courses in the areas of fashion business, digital marketing, product management and emerging technologies will be additionally offered in Riyadh, although master courses won’t be available at the campus for now.

Other courses will include interior design and those in fragrances and cosmetics. Introduced last year , the latter vertical keeps expanding with the support of companies such as Shiseido, L’Oréal and Dolce & Gabbana Beauty, and is gaining prominence as it has been validated and acknowledged by MIUR, Italy’s Ministry of Education, University and Research. 

“We’ve been the only school to have brought these industries within the scope of higher education,” Valenti said.

As for further openings, the executive said that between Dubai and Riyadh the institution has covered the GCC area. Yet she teased that a new project will be revealed soon, hinting it will further built on the school’s digital presence and its pursuit of cutting-edge innovations.

Founded in 1935, Istituto Marangoni is controlled by  Galileo Global Education Italia , the Italian branch of the international private higher education company GGE. It enrolls an average of 5,000 students from 108 different countries every year across its outposts and is ranked among the 100 best universities in the world in its fields, according to QS World University Ranking 2024.

Private schools operating in the fashion, art and design fields under GGE Italia’s umbrella also include Nuova Accademia di Belle Arti — better known as  NABA  — and Domus Academy.

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What does EU visa relaxation for Saudi, Bahraini, Omani citizens mean?

This week, the European Union (EU) announced a relaxation of Schengen visa rules for the citizens of Bahrain, Oman and Saudi Arabia , making it much easier for nationals of the Gulf countries to visit Europe. 

Background: At the EU- Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) High Level Forum on Regional Security and Cooperation in Luxembourg on Monday, the European Commission adopted three implementing decisions to update the Schengen rules for issuing multiday visas for the three Gulf states. Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud headed a delegation from the kingdom in the European country, which also included Ambassador to the EU Haifa Al-Jedea and the Foreign Ministry’s adviser, Manal Radwan.

Announcing the visa rule change during the opening session of the forum, the EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said, “I welcome a decision adopted by the European Commission this morning to harmonize the rules for granting multiple-entry visas for the citizens of the GCC countries.”

The GCC includes Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain and Oman.

At the forum, officials discussed security and strategic cooperation between the GCC and the EU, as well as the conflict in the Gaza Strip and the wider region. 

What are the new visa rules? 

Under the new rules, Bahraini, Omani and Saudi Arabian nationals will be eligible for multiple-entry visas, allowing them to visit the Schengen area (the EU’s 27 member states as well as Bulgaria and Romania) and move freely between them. The area expanded in February 2022 to include the two non-EU states, removing all air and maritime border controls. A decision on whether to remove land border controls will be made at a later date. 

Those who have the visa will be able to visit Schengen area countries multiple times over five years with the same visa. The visa will also apply to first-time travelers to Europe from the three Middle Eastern countries.

Holders of the visas will enjoy the same travel rights as visa-free nationals. 

Other members of the GCC, including the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Qatar, have different rules regarding getting a Schengen visa. UAE citizens do not need a visa to travel to the Schengen area, but Qataris must apply for one. 

In 2022, the EU said it planned to offer visa-free travel to Kuwait and Qatari nationals. A new visa “cascade scheme” was unveiled for Kuwaitis last September, allowing for all eligible applicants, including those travelling for the first time, to obtain five-year permits.

Know more: The move by the EU comes after the UK government announced in February that nationals from the GCC, including Saudi Arabia, could apply for Electronic Travel Authorization visas , making it easier for them to come to the UK, even on very short notice. The EU decision will allow the 27-nation bloc to remain competitive in providing access to their countries to Saudi nationals, as European countries vie for new investment from wealthy Gulf countries.

On the Gulf side, the Riyadh-headquartered GCC in November announced plans for a unified tourist visa similar to the Schengen visa.

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GREAT FUTURES trade mission to Riyadh attracts major corporate sponsors

The GREAT Britain and Northern Ireland campaign has today announced key partners for the major business, tourism, education and cultural expo in Riyadh - GREAT FUTURES - on 14 and 15 May 2024. 

• The Deputy Prime Minister will lead a 300+ strong business delegation to the Saudi GREAT FUTURES flagship event  in Riyadh.
• British Airways and HSBC announced as lead partners for major trade and culture event in Riyadh. 

GREAT FUTURES flagship event is the launch for a 12-month campaign to highlight UK expertise and capability in sectors that support Saudi Arabia’s ‘Vision 2030’. It’s being hosted by the UK and Saudi Arabian governments in partnership and the UK will showcase the best of its excellence and innovation across a range of sectors. 

British Airways will be a lead partner on the event and prominent political and corporate delegates will fly to Riyadh on a specially designated delegate charter flight. CEO Sean Doyle will address delegates as they depart for the event and Chief Commercial Officer, Colm Lacy, will give insights on innovation and the future of air travel.

HSBC is also a lead partner for GREAT FUTURES. CEO Ian Stuart and Tony Cripps, CEO Saudi Awwal Bank, will deliver a keynote speech and share insights on the future of financial services cooperation between the UK and Saudi Arabia. 

Other key partners of the event include: change & transformation consultancy, North Highland, content production agency TAG, and urban development firm Innovo. Engineering, construction and project management group, Bechtel, insurance intermediary group, Howden and International education network, Global University Systems are also partnering with the GREAT campaign on this venture. Representatives of the key partners will lead our thought leadership programme with counterparts in the Saudi Arabian business community. 

Deputy Prime Minister, Oliver Dowden commented:

GREAT FUTURES will be an important moment for British business. The private sector can see the value in this venture and we’re pleased to have so many prominent corporate sponsors on board.  Our delegation will represent the very best of the UK’s business, cultural, creative, and educational talent. This event will be an important stage by which to forge enduring partnerships for the future with Saudi business and our Government counterparts.

The UK has advanced specialist expertise in the industries being discussed and its delegation will include senior business leaders from across the UK which represent key sectors including tourism, education, clean tech, trade, insurance, fashion, architecture, sport and culture. 

Chairman and CEO of British Airways, Sean Doyle, commented:

We’re proud to play a role in promoting the UK as a leading destination for business, tourism and investment, and build on our long-standing partnership with the GREAT campaign to showcase the best of Britain internationally.  We have a long history of connecting families, friends and businesses in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia with our home in London and look forward to welcoming leaders from some of the UK’s most creative and innovative companies on board our special charter flight in May.

CEO of HSBC UK Bank Plc, Ian Stuart, commented:

At HSBC we use our international network and expertise to open up a world of opportunity for our customers. We’re excited to be a part of GREAT FUTURES, in Riyadh, where we can offer our support to some of the most dynamic and ambitious firms from the UK and Saudi Arabia and help them to achieve their growth ambitions.

Vision 2030 is the Saudi government’s plan to develop the industries of the future. Its programme, including five lead ‘giga projects’, will attract $3trn investment by 2030 to transform the Saudi economy, while also serving as a showcase of the nation’s geographical richness, cultural heritage, hospitality, economic goals, and commitment to environmental conservation.

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Riyadh to host UK-Saudi expo “GREAT FUTURES” in May

Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH — Riyadh will host the “GREAT FUTURES” trade exhibition on May 14 and 15. The governments of Saudi Arabia and the United Kingdom are organizing the expo, which will focus on business, tourism, and cultural exchange.

British Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden will lead the 350-strong contingent of British delegation that will showcase the best of UK innovation and excellence. The two-day flagship event, which will be held in Riyadh’s King Abdullah Financial District, will host about 750 representatives.

The trade expo marks the opening of a 12-month drive that aims to showcase UK expertise and credentials in sectors that sustain Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030. The event aims to build Saudi-British partnerships at the level of government and private sectors in various economic and development fields. This approach is intended to diversify the economy, raise productivity, and improve competitiveness in Saudi Arabia.

The British delegation will include more than 350 government officials and leaders from the British business sector. The trade fair is being organized as part of the efforts of the Saudi-British Strategic Partnership Council aimed at strengthening economic relations between the two sides in a number of promising sectors, in addition to developing bilateral trade and investment between the two countries.

Dowden described the initiative as an important opportunity to forge partnerships for the future between the UK’s most creative and innovative companies and their Saudi business and government counterparts. “I’m delighted to be leading such a talented delegation to this landmark event. From emerging technologies to academia, the UK has an exceptional skill base to share with the world. Our two nations work closely on security and energy. We look forward to strengthening those connections in new areas that feed the Vision 2030 agenda,” he said.

Minister of Commerce Dr. Majed Al-Qasabi said that Saudi Arabia is very proud to be hosting this major event and bringing together leading minds in business, academia and entertainment from both the nations. “This event heralds the beginning of an extended and productive partnership focused on innovation, technology and our flourishing cultural sectors. We look forward to collaborating with the UK Government and the private sector to realize the ambitions of Vision 2030,” he added.

It is noteworthy that this initiative is considered as one of the important events at the global level with the participation of the most creative and innovative companies in the United Kingdom