Tourism has emerged as the fourth-largest employer in the Madinah region, underscoring its growing role as a key economic driver, according to a new report by the Madinah Chamber of Commerce.

The report revealed that the tourism sector accounted for 11 percent of Madinah’s total workforce in the first quarter of 2025, reflecting the industry’s expanding contribution to the regional economy.

Madinah also demonstrated strong performance in the hospitality sector, achieving the highest hotel occupancy rate in the Kingdom during the last quarter of 2024. Serviced apartments recorded an occupancy rate of 48.7 percent, highlighting sustained demand for accommodation and tourism services.

The report further noted that Madinah ranks second nationwide, after Makkah, in average length of stay, with visitors spending about four nights.

These indicators reinforce Madinah’s position as a leading destination for visitors and pilgrims while supporting Saudi Vision 2030’s goal to develop tourism and hospitality into sustainable economic pillars that foster human resource development and create diverse employment opportunities.

Saudi Entertainment Ventures (SEVEN), a wholly owned subsidiary of Qiddiya Investment Company (QIC), has announced the opening of SEVEN Tabuk, expanding its entertainment network and supporting the Kingdom’s quality-of-life and regional development goals under Saudi Vision 2030.

SEVEN Chairman Abdullah Al Dawood said the opening represents another step in the company’s strategy to develop accessible entertainment destinations that are closely connected to the communities they serve.

SEVEN Tabuk is the company’s second entertainment destination, following SEVEN Abha, as SEVEN continues its plans to establish destinations across Saudi Arabia.

Located within Tabuk city, the fully indoor, all-weather destination is designed for everyday entertainment, offering residents and visitors a wide range of activities without requiring long-distance travel.

The destination operates from 4:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. on weekends and from 4:00 p.m. to midnight on weekdays, while Scene Cinemas operates daily from 4:00 p.m. until 3:30 a.m.

SEVEN Tabuk combines international attractions with locally developed concepts. Key offerings include Discovery Adventures, featuring immersive exploration-themed environments, and Hot Wheels E-Karting, an interactive karting experience inspired by the global brand.

The destination also features SEVEN’s homegrown concepts, including Kawaken, Kawaken Junior, GolFi, Cyber Bowling and Scene Cinemas, providing entertainment options for families, young people and a broad range of visitors.

Beyond entertainment, SEVEN Tabuk is expected to contribute to the city’s wider development by supporting local employment and strengthening partnerships with local businesses.

The opening further reinforces Tabuk’s position as an emerging leisure destination in northern Saudi Arabia while expanding access to entertainment experiences across the Kingdom.

Source: SPA

Green spaces and public parks across Makkah are playing an important role in improving the city’s urban environment and creating more comfortable spaces for residents, visitors and pilgrims.

The city has 290 public parks, many of which feature landscaped green areas, safe pedestrian walkways, sports facilities, courtyards, shaded seating areas, service amenities and playgrounds.

These spaces help provide shade, reduce heat absorption from urban surfaces and offer areas for movement, recreation and rest.

The development and maintenance of parks are particularly important in Makkah, which welcomes millions of pilgrims, Umrah performers and visitors throughout the year.

Expanding landscaping, shaded areas and open pedestrian spaces forms part of broader efforts to improve the pilgrim experience by creating a more comfortable and accessible urban environment.

The parks also complement Makkah’s wider network of services and facilities, supporting the city’s efforts to enhance quality of life while accommodating the needs of its residents and millions of visitors.

Source: SPA

Irqah Village, one of the oldest settlements in Riyadh Region, is showcasing more than 1,000 years of history through its traditional architecture, heritage sites and cultural experiences.

Once a thriving agricultural center, the village developed around mud-brick homes, historic mosques, farms and water sources, creating a distinctive architectural and social identity.

At the heart of the historic village, Bayt Isa recreates aspects of traditional Najdi life through its majlis, cafés, heritage pathways, courtyards and rooftops. The heritage house offers visitors an immersive experience reflecting the architectural style and social traditions of the Najdi environment.

Handicrafts further enrich the experience, with workshops helping revive traditional skills passed down through generations. Local outlets also provide artisans with opportunities to display and sell their work, linking cultural heritage with its social and economic roots.

Since opening, Irqah Village has welcomed more than 15,000 visitors, supported over 50 cottage-industry families and hosted filming by more than 20 production companies.

The village has also generated more than three million digital views and interactions, highlighting its growing popularity and the potential of its heritage spaces for tourism, culture and creative activities.

Source: SPA

Al-Khabra Boulevard has emerged as a prominent economic and tourism destination in Qassim Region, benefiting from its strategic location along King Fahd Road on the Qassim-Madinah Expressway.

The boulevard serves as an attractive stop for travelers while providing a platform to showcase and market the region’s agricultural, handicraft and heritage products, particularly dates.

Spanning approximately 50,000 square meters, the project includes around 160 shops and 40 kiosks, offering space for commercial activities, festivals and seasonal events.

The destination combines retail activity with tourism and entertainment, supporting farmers, cottage-industry families and entrepreneurs while helping local businesses reach a wider consumer base.

Its design draws inspiration from Najdi identity and local architecture, with dedicated areas for agricultural products, food, handicrafts and entertainment activities. These elements add a cultural and heritage dimension to the visitor experience.

Al-Khabra Boulevard demonstrates how strategically located roadside developments can contribute to the local economy by promoting regional products, supporting small businesses and strengthening tourism activity across Qassim.

Source: SPA