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      Saudi Vision 2030: National Day and the Kingdom’s Modernization

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      Life

      by Ruman Baig
      7 hours ago

      Saudi Arabia, a nation deeply rooted in tradition and history, is undergoing a monumental transformation with its ambitious Vision 2030 initiative.
      This vision, spearheaded by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, aims to modernize and diversify the Saudi economy while preserving the country’s rich cultural heritage.
      As Saudi Arabia celebrates its National Day, it is an opportune moment to reflect on the progress made and the path forward in this journey towards a more prosperous and modern Kingdom.
      Vision 2030: A Bold Blueprint for Change:
      Vision 2030, unveiled in April 2016, outlines a comprehensive roadmap to transform Saudi Arabia into a global investment powerhouse and a hub for tourism and entertainment. At its core, the vision seeks to reduce Saudi Arabia’s dependence on oil revenues by diversifying the economy into various sectors, such as tourism, entertainment, technology, and renewable energy. The goals set forth in Vision 2030 are ambitious and far-reaching, but they represent a clear commitment to change and modernization.
      Economic Diversification:

      A pivotal aspect of Vision 2030 is economic diversification. The plan aims to enhance non-oil revenue sources, including tourism and entertainment, mining, and technology. Initiatives like NEOM, a futuristic city, and the Red Sea Project, a luxury tourism destination, are prime examples of the Kingdom’s efforts to attract foreign investments and tourists. These projects promise to not only boost the economy but also create job opportunities for Saudi nationals.
      Empowering Women:

      Another significant aspect of Vision 2030 is the empowerment of women. The plan recognizes the untapped potential of Saudi women and aims to increase their participation in the workforce. Over the years, Saudi Arabia has witnessed numerous reforms, such as granting women the right to drive and the opening of more career opportunities for them. These changes are instrumental in achieving gender equality and fostering a more inclusive society.
      Cultural Preservation:

      While striving for modernization, Saudi Arabia is equally committed to preserving its cultural heritage. Initiatives like AlUla and Diriyah Gate aim to showcase the Kingdom’s rich history and cultural significance. The careful balance between tradition and modernity is crucial in maintaining the Kingdom’s unique identity.
      National Day Celebrations:
      The Saudi National Day, celebrated on September 23rd, is a significant occasion to reflect on the progress made under Vision 2030. It is a day of national pride, marked by festivities and events across the country. The celebrations highlight the Kingdom’s unity, cultural heritage, and its determination to forge ahead into a prosperous and modern future.
      Saudi Vision 2030 is not merely an economic plan; it is a transformative vision that seeks to redefine the Kingdom’s role in the global arena. As Saudi Arabia commemorates its National Day, it is a testament to the country’s commitment to modernization while cherishing its roots. The journey towards Vision 2030 is challenging, but it is a journey towards a brighter, more diversified, and inclusive future for Saudi Arabia and its people.
      – For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram
      Images: Insttagram: Feature Image: @visitsaudi  More

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      Saudi Arabia visa on arrival: Which nationalities are eligible for it?

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      Life

      by Ruman Baig
      5 mins ago

      Saudi Arabia has introduced a significant change to Umrah visas, now offering visa on arrival to citizens from twelve additional countries.
      Effective from August 20, 2023, travelers from nations such as the United States, United Kingdom, various European countries, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Malaysia, South Korea, Japan, Kazakhstan, Brunei, and China can obtain Umrah visas upon reaching the kingdom.
      This new system permits entry through air, sea, or land ports, enabling a 90-day stay in Saudi Arabia. These visas not only facilitate spiritual journeys but also promote family connections and tourism experiences.

      أداء العمرة عبر التأشيرة عند الوصول، للعديد من دول العالم. #في_القلب_يا_مكة pic.twitter.com/b6PaN2NiTz
      — وزارة الحج والعمرة (@HajMinistry) August 18, 2023

      This update allows travellers to explore the Kingdom and it’s rich heritage. To take advantage of this opportunity, eligible visitors must pay a $117 visa fee, which includes health insurance coverage. Those interested in applying for a visa on arrival can easily navigate the process on Saudi Arabia’s official eVisa website.
      What is Umrah, the Islamic pilgrimage?

      Umrah, also referred to as the ‘lesser pilgrimage’ or ‘minor pilgrimage’, entails a visit to the Holy Ka’aba, the Sacred Home of God. This sacred practice is open to Muslims throughout the year. In Islamic terms, Umrah involves performing Tawaf around the Holy Ka’aba and Sa’i between the hills of Safa and Marwah while in a state of Ihram, signifying a sacred commitment.
      The core purpose of undertaking Umrah is to establish a connection with Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala – Glory to Him, the exalted), attain His pleasure, and reap the abundant rewards tied to this act of devotion. Through this spiritual journey, individuals cleanse their body, heart, soul, and mind from their past transgressions.
      – For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram
      Images: Feature Image: @visitsaudi More

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      ‘AlUla Ever’ by Assouline immortalises the heritage of the ancient oasis city

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      Life

      by Ruman Baig
      47 mins ago

      Through visually rich stories and compelling narratives, AlUla’s essence is expertly captured in Assouline’s signature style.
      This travel tome takes readers on a curated journey showcasing AlUla’s geological landscapes, monumental heritage sites, and vibrant arts and culture scene.
      AlUla, a largely undiscovered masterpiece spanning over 200,000 years of human history, has recently opened its doors to international visitors. Its extraordinary human and natural heritage, including the well-preserved monuments at Hegra and Jabal Ikmah, reflects the legacy of various civilizations. AlUla Old Town, with its traditional mud brick buildings, offers a glimpse into the area’s rich history.
      The future development of AlUla is focused on responsible growth, emphasizing sustainable and light-touch tourism to benefit local populations and future generations. Embracing traditional arts and culture, AlUla shares its creative spirit with the world and welcomes local and international artists to be part of its modern future.
      Central to AlUla’s appeal is its ability to seamlessly intertwine the ancient and contemporary, offering visitors a transformative journey. By immersing themselves in its cultural richness, natural beauty, and authentic spirit, travelers can create cherished memories and forge a profound connection with this extraordinary destination that remains deeply rooted in its history while continuously evolving towards the future.
      With the launch of ‘AlUla Ever,’ the destination fully embraces its traditional arts and culture, sharing them with the world while also welcoming local and international artists to contribute to the city’s modern art scene.
      Alongside programs at the art school Madrasat Addeera, which revitalize ancient handicrafts and artistic skills, 2024 will host the third edition of Desert X AlUla – a unique blend of contemporary land art against the backdrop of ancient landscapes, showcasing AlUla’s creative spirit.

      For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram
      Images: Supplied by Assouline  More

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      The Managing Director of ROAM on what luxury travel in Saudi Arabia entails

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      Exceptional and hyper-curated experiences are upending high-end travel.
      With the launch of ROAM, travellers can experience Saudi Arabia in a new light. Stuart McNair, Managing Director at ROAM discusses what luxury experiential travel means.
      What do the first 30 minutes of your day look like, your morning routine?
      We are in the midst of an incredibly exciting time for Roam. Having launched the brand earlier this month and our mobile camp opening in Tiaf this summer, it’s all hands-on deck. I spend my time between our offices in Jeddah and Riyadh, so early mornings are often spent catching domestic flights and enjoying my fair share of delicious Saudi coffee.
      What was the catalyst to launch Roam?
      When the Kingdom opened itself to tourism in 2019, it created a host of new opportunities for both domestic and international travellers. A genuine new frontier, and the largest country in the Arabian Peninsula, Saudi stretches along the length of the Red Sea and the Persian Gulf. Home to stunning natural landscapes, historical sites and modern architecture, it truly has something for everyone. With so much to offer, it is an exciting time for everyone involved in the travel industry. With our heritage and local experience, Roam hopes to support the evolving landscape by becoming the most trusted luxury travel company in the Kingdom.

      How did the partnership come about between Cool Inc and Pelorus?
      Roam is the result of a joint venture between Saudi luxury and lifestyle hospitality company, Cool Inc, and bespoke travel and yachting company, Pelorus. The partnership came about in order to rewrite the narrative for luxury travel in the Kingdom. Together they have been able to develop a unique strategy that incorporates the essence of Saudi culture and leverages each company’s strengths to create innovative and enduring DMC experiences. By combining Pelorus’ expertise in experiential travel with Cool Inc’s local knowledge and market understanding, Roam can now offer tailored DMC services specifically designed for the Kingdom, setting them apart from their competitors and enabling them to provide unparalleled levels of customer service. This approach distinguishes Roam as a luxury travel and tourism brand that delivers exceptional, one-of-a-kind products and services, contributing to the development of the Kingdom’s tourism infrastructure and making it easier for travellers to discover its beauty.
      You offer a bespoke travel service within unexplored regions in Saudi Arabia – can you expand on this?
      Roam’s multi-vertical, product-driven, and service-led business is made up of four key verticals, including bespoke travel, tour services, accommodation bookings and transportation. The company will also offer aviation, concierge services, brand experiences & events, luxury events & activations and VIP guest management.
      Roam’s unique products include mobile camps, day camps, e-quads and private dining experiences. These products highlight the very best of Saudi Arabia and are available for purchase as part of the company’s bespoke travel service or as standalone experiences.
      Roam will be activating in different regions throughout the year, following the seasons. Destinations include Tabuk, NEOM, Al Ula, Jeddah, Riyadh, Al Ahsa Oasis, and Red Sea from October to March, and Taif, Al Baha, Tanomah, Abha, Jazan region, and Farasan Island from May to September.
      What does it take to launch and offer a hyper-seasonal luxury travel concept in Saudi Arabia?
      At the heart of Roam, are its people. Our team is made up of a majority of Saudi talent, and we expect this to continue to increase as we attract more bright, young Saudis into this budding market. With the experience of living it, we are able to find, craft, and deliver experiences in Saudi year-round. Our mobile camp allows us to capitalise on the cooler temperatures to the south, then move north for the winter months, allowing guests to enjoy the desert regions of AlUla and Tabuk.

      Tabuk
      What are the experiences at Roam?
      Roam aims to be bold in all its endeavours, constantly evolving and developing new experiences for our clients. As we continue to activate new regions across the country, we will be bringing luxury to remote regions for the first time with our mobile camp. In June, the camp will launch in the beautiful, mountainous region of Taif. The first of its kind, the camp will then move across the Kingdom every 8-12 weeks, allowing travellers to experience undiscovered regions of KSA, without having to compromise on comfort or indulgence. Each spectacular remote location offers the perfect weekend getaway for friends, family or colleagues. The camp is designed and decorated to showcase modern Saudi with traditional touches, as well as small attachments that will change to reflect the local region. In addition, our expert team have been scouting out the best locations for trekking, climbing, stargazing and nature activities helping you explore the local area. Our camp equipment will include our own fleet of Land Rovers, electric quads, fat bikes and more.
      “From uncharted areas of the Red Sea, offering world-class diving, to archaeological wonders in Hegra, vibrant cities and ever-evolving Giga projects, Saudi offers an exciting and undiscovered world to explore.”

      Tabuk coast
      What sets the travel industry in Saudi Arabia apart?
      KSA is on the cusp of significant change for Saudi Arabians and international travellers alike. Given the numerous products and services on offer throughout KSA, combined with the fact that it’s a relatively new travel destination, there is so much to be discovered. From uncharted areas of the Red Sea, offering world-class diving, to archaeological wonders in Hegra, vibrant cities and ever-evolving Giga projects, Saudi offers an exciting and undiscovered world to explore.
      This is ‘The Horology Issue’ – time is such a luxury today. What do you think is the future of travel and how we spend this time?
      We must redefine the industry to charm the innovators of tomorrow, become a pioneering and thriving model of excellence and spark an inclusive future, ripe with investment opportunities for all. We believe all this combined means the tourism market in the Kingdom could become very significant indeed, as outlined in Vision 2030.
      May’s – The Horology Issue – Download Now 
      – For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram
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      The first Saudi all-female run Starbucks has officially opened its doors

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      Lifestyle

      by Team Emirates Woman
      1 minute ago

      The first-ever all-female-operated Starbucks has officially opened its doors in Saudi Arabia.
      Located in the Eastern Province of the Kingdom, the female-run Drive-Thru store represents the changing work dynamic for women across the nation.
      Under the Saudi Vision 2030, a key aim is to improve the lives and rights of women in the Kingdom and its initiatives like this which directly support this goal.
      The newly opened Starbucks Drive-Thru only store is managed by a team of all Saudi female partners who are responsible for the day-to-day store operations, customer service, day-to-day administration and brewing coffee for customers.
      Per Andy Holmes, President of Starbucks MENA at Alshaya Group, it’s an “exciting time” marking the “first all-female driven operation in the country [for the group]”.

      “Our first all-female Saudi partners operated Drive-Thru store in KSA is a significant step towards creating more opportunities for women as we continue to build on the local female talent and empowering them in the workplace,” he added.
      “As we continue to see a spike in more Saudi women joining the workforce in various sectors, we demonstrate active support to the Kingdom’s focus on empowering Saudi youth and highlighting the role of women by offering access to wider employment and career opportunities.”
      At present, women currently make up 20 per cent of Starbucks KSA’s workforce. The group is gaming to increase this to 30 per cent by the end of the year and plans to expand its network further with more and more Saudi female partners.
      – For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram
      Images: Supplied  More