萝莉视频

萝莉视频鈥檚 tourism workforce hits 966k amid sector growth push聽

萝莉视频鈥檚 tourism workforce hits 966k amid sector growth push聽
萝莉视频鈥檚 hospitality footprint continued to grow, with the number of licensed establishments rising to 4,425 by the end of 2024. Getty
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Updated 24 April 2025

萝莉视频鈥檚 tourism workforce hits 966k amid sector growth push聽

萝莉视频鈥檚 tourism workforce hits 966k amid sector growth push聽

RIYADH: Employment in 萝莉视频鈥檚 tourism sector climbed 4 percent year on year in the final quarter of 2024 as the Kingdom accelerated its efforts to expand the industry.聽

According to new data from the General Authority for Statistics, the workforce included 242,073 Saudi nationals, making up 25 percent, and 724,458 foreign workers, or 75 percent.聽

This aligns with 萝莉视频鈥檚 National Tourism Strategy, which aims to create 1.6 million jobs by 2030, and attract 150 million visitors annually while increasing tourism鈥檚 contribution to 10 percent of gross domestic product.聽

The figures come in the same week as it was announced that from April 2026 41 tourism roles, including聽hotel managers, travel agency directors, and tour guides, will be reserved for Saudi nationals under government plans to boost local employment and reduce reliance on foreign labor.聽

In its latest report, GASTAT stated that the total number of employees in the sector reached 966,531 during the last three months of 2024, adding: 鈥淭he number of male employees in tourism activities reached 837,972, with a participation rate of 86.7 percent, while the number of female employees in tourism activities reached 128,559, with a participation rate of 13.3 percent of the total employees in tourism activities during Q4 of 2024.鈥

The highest employment levels were reported in Riyadh and Makkah regions, which together accounted for nearly two-thirds of the total workforce in tourism-related activities.

Riyadh alone employed 320,617, while Makkah followed with 268,954. The capital also had the highest share of Saudi nationals in the sector at 95,825, or 29.9 percent of its local tourism workforce.聽

萝莉视频鈥檚 hospitality footprint continued to grow, with the number of licensed establishments rising to 4,425 by the end of 2024, including 2,163 hotels and 2,262 serviced apartments and other accommodations.聽

The data showed hotel occupancy remained relatively stable at 56 percent, compared to 60.2 percent a year earlier, despite the rapid expansion in licensed capacity. Serviced apartments, meanwhile, saw a modest increase, rising to 55.9 percent from 55.4 percent the previous year.聽

The average daily hotel room rate remained competitive at SR440 ($117.31) in the fourth quarter of 2024, slightly easing from SR449 a year earlier. Meanwhile, serviced apartment rates saw strong growth, rising 25.1 percent to SR220 鈥 pointing to increasing demand and limited supply in that segment.聽

The data also highlighted the average length of stay for hotel guests, which remained steady at approximately 3.6 nights in the fourth quarter of 2024 鈥 the same as in the corresponding period of 2023.聽

In contrast, the average stay in serviced apartments and other hospitality facilities was around 2.1 nights, marking a 12.1 percent decline compared to the same quarter of the previous year.


萝莉视频 leads MENA startup funding in April with $158.5m 聽

萝莉视频 leads MENA startup funding in April with $158.5m 聽
Updated 05 May 2025

萝莉视频 leads MENA startup funding in April with $158.5m 聽

萝莉视频 leads MENA startup funding in April with $158.5m 聽

RIYADH: 萝莉视频 led startup funding across the Middle East and North Africa in April 2025, attracting $158.5 million across eight deals 鈥 accounting for more than two-thirds of the region鈥檚 total investment for the month. 

The Kingdom鈥檚 dominant performance was largely driven by iMENA Group鈥檚 $135 million pre-initial public offering round, placing it ahead of the UAE, which followed with $62 million raised across nine startups. 

In total, MENA startups secured $228.4 million in April through 26 deals, marking a 105 percent increase from March and nearly triple the amount raised in April 2024, according to Wamda鈥檚 monthly report.  

Notably, the month鈥檚 funding activity featured no debt financing.

鈥淚nterestingly, the absence of debt-financed deals in April highlights growing investor confidence in equity-based funding 鈥 a trend reflecting a healthier capital environment,鈥 the report stated.  

Morocco ranked third regionally, raising $4 million across two startups, while Egypt lagged behind with just $1.5 million secured by four companies. 

Early-stage ventures led in deal volume, bringing in $49 million through 20 transactions. Late-stage activity was concentrated entirely in iMENA鈥檚 pre-IPO round. 

By sector, fintech remained the top draw for investors, attracting $44 million across seven transactions. Traveltech also gained momentum, driven by HRA Experience鈥檚 deal, while e-commerce startups raised $2.5 million across three deals. 

Software-as-a-service ventures made a comeback after a quiet first quarter, securing $1.8 million from three transactions.  

In terms of business models, business-to-business startups dominated, raising $180 million across 12 deals.  

Business-to-consumer ventures followed with $43 million from seven transactions, while six companies operating both B2B and B2C models accounted for the rest of the disclosed funding. 

Gender disparities in startup funding persisted in April. Female-led startups secured less than $500,000 in total, while male-founded ventures captured 97 percent of all disclosed capital. Startups co-founded by men and women raised an additional $6.5 million. 


Closing Bell: Saudi main index closes in green at 11,422聽

Closing Bell: Saudi main index closes in green at 11,422聽
Updated 05 May 2025

Closing Bell: Saudi main index closes in green at 11,422聽

Closing Bell: Saudi main index closes in green at 11,422聽

RIYADH: 萝莉视频鈥檚 Tadawul All Share Index rose on Monday, gaining 11.45 points, or 0.10 percent, to close at 11,422.95. 

The total trading turnover of the benchmark index was SR5.21 billion ($1.39 billion), as 153 stocks advanced, while 84 retreated. 

The Kingdom鈥檚 parallel market, Nomu, also rose, gaining 129.67 points, or 0.46 percent, to close at 28,142.99. This comes as 41 of the listed stocks advanced, while 33 retreated. 

The MSCI Tadawul Index increased by 4.27 points, or 0.29 percent, to close at 1,455.44. 

The best-performing stock was Mouwasat Medical Services Co., with its share price surging 9.97 percent to SR78.30. 

Other top performers included Fawaz Abdulaziz Alhokair Co., which saw its share price rise 9.92 percent to SR14.18, and Saudi Reinsurance Co., which posted a 9.71 percent gain to reach SR53.10. 

Umm Al Qura for Development and Construction Co. recorded the day鈥檚 steepest decline, with its share price slipping 3.47 percent to SR25.05.   

Sahara International Petrochemical Co. and Saudi Steel Pipe Co. also saw declines, with their shares dropping by 2.82 percent and 2.58 percent to SR17.90 and SR52.90, respectively.   

On the announcements front, Ades Holding Co. reported interim financial results for the first three months of the year, posting a net profit of SR196.6 million 鈥 a 6.3 percent decline compared to the previous quarter. It said that the drop in net profit reflects an increased ratio of depreciation and tax costs to revenue in this period.   

The company鈥檚 total comprehensive income saw a 45.7 percent quarter-on-quarter decrease in the first quarter of 2025 to reach SR170.8 million.  

Ades Holding Co.鈥檚 share price traded 0.94 percent lower on the main market during today鈥檚 session to reach SR14.78.   

In another announcement, Makkah Construction and Development Co. reported a 32.7 percent year-on-year increase in net profit for the same period, reaching SR150 million.   

The company credited the growth to higher revenues from the hotel and towers this quarter, driven by the inclusion of the last nine days of Ramadan, increased mall revenues, and gains from financial assets classified at fair value through profit or loss.   

Similarly, the company鈥檚 total comprehensive income rose to SR758 during the quarter, up from SR576 last year.   

The MCDC鈥檚 share price traded 1.5 percent higher to reach SR108.20. 


萝莉视频 posts $15.6bn budget deficit in Q1 with resilient non-oil growth

萝莉视频 posts $15.6bn budget deficit in Q1 with resilient non-oil growth
Updated 05 May 2025

萝莉视频 posts $15.6bn budget deficit in Q1 with resilient non-oil growth

萝莉视频 posts $15.6bn budget deficit in Q1 with resilient non-oil growth

RIYADH: 萝莉视频 recorded a deficit of SR58.7 billion ($15.65 billion) in the first quarter of 2025, driven by declining oil revenues and increased spending to support Vision 2030 development initiatives, according to the Finance Ministry.

According to the quarterly budget performance report, total revenues reached SR263.61 billion, marking a 10.16 percent decline compared to the same period last year.

The drop is primarily attributed to reduced oil revenues, which fell 17.65 percent year on year to SR149.81 billion, driven by ongoing OPEC+ production cuts that curbed export volumes despite relatively steady global oil prices.

Oil income accounted for 56 percent of total government revenues, down from 62 percent in Q1 2024.

In contrast, non-oil revenues continued to grow modestly, rising 2.06 percent to SR113.81 billion, underpinned by structural economic reforms and the Kingdom鈥檚 diversification agenda under Vision 2030.

Taxation on goods and services remained the largest contributor to non-oil income, generating SR71.56 billion鈥攗p 2.37 percent year on year. Other non-oil revenue sources, including fees and investment returns, added SR25.41 billion, making up 22.3 percent of the non-oil total.

Total government expenditures in the quarter rose 5.39 percent year on year to SR322.32 billion. The increase reflects 萝莉视频鈥檚 continued investment in strategic initiatives and priority development projects aligned with Vision 2030 goals.

Compensation for government employees remained the largest expenditure category, totaling SR146.09 billion鈥攁n annual increase of 6.24 percent鈥攁nd accounting for 45.3 percent of total spending.

Expenditures on goods and services amounted to SR64.63 billion, or 20 percent of the quarterly total, while capital spending represented 8.6 percent. Other operational costs comprised 10.6 percent.

The first quarter deficit was entirely financed through debt instruments, pushing 萝莉视频鈥檚 total public debt to SR1.33 trillion鈥攗p 19.08 percent from a year earlier.

Of this, 60 percent was sourced domestically, with the remainder attributed to external borrowing, in line with the Kingdom鈥檚 debt diversification strategy.

Despite the fiscal shortfall, the ministry noted that the quarterly figures remain consistent with the government鈥檚 2025 budget plan. Revenues in the first quarter represent 22.3 percent of the full-year target, while expenditures account for 25 percent of the planned annual spend.

Looking ahead, 萝莉视频鈥檚 fiscal outlook may receive a boost from higher oil output. OPEC+ recently announced plans to accelerate the unwinding of prior production cuts, including a June increase of 411,000 barrels per day. Combined with earlier boosts in April and May, the group plans to restore a total of 960,000 barrels per day鈥攔eversing 44 percent of the 2.2 million bpd reduction agreed upon in December 2024.


Saudi Aramco raises June oil prices for Asian markets

Saudi Aramco raises June oil prices for Asian markets
Updated 05 May 2025

Saudi Aramco raises June oil prices for Asian markets

Saudi Aramco raises June oil prices for Asian markets

RIYADH: Saudi Aramco has increased its official selling price for crude oil destined for Asia in June, ending a two-month streak of price cuts, the company confirmed in an official statement on Sunday.

The state-owned oil giant raised the price of its benchmark Arab Light crude by $0.20, setting it at $1.40 per barrel above the average of Oman and Dubai crude prices.

The adjustment comes despite persistent downward pressure on global oil markets due to concerns over rising supply and a fragile demand outlook.

The move follows Saturday鈥檚 announcement from the OPEC+ alliance, which agreed to boost oil production for a second consecutive month. The group, which includes both OPEC members and key allies like Russia, plans to increase output by 411,000 barrels per day in June.

Market observers are now closely watching the outcome of the next OPEC+ meeting, scheduled for May 5, which will further clarify the group鈥檚 production strategy heading into summer.

Saudi Aramco prices its crude oil across five density-based grades: Super Light (greater than 40), Arab Extra Light (36-40), Arab Light (32-36), Arab Medium (29-32), and Arab Heavy (below 29).

The company鈥檚 monthly pricing decisions impact the cost of around 9 million barrels per day of crude exported to Asia and serve as a pricing benchmark for other major regional producers, including Iran, Kuwait, and Iraq.

In the North American market, Aramco set the May OSP for Arab Light at $3.40 per barrel above the Argus Sour Crude Index.

Aramco determines its OSPs based on market feedback from refiners and an evaluation of crude oil value changes over the past month, taking into account yields and product prices.


UAE, Kuwait, and Qatar sustain non-oil growth in April: S&P Global

UAE, Kuwait, and Qatar sustain non-oil growth in April: S&P Global
Updated 05 May 2025

UAE, Kuwait, and Qatar sustain non-oil growth in April: S&P Global

UAE, Kuwait, and Qatar sustain non-oil growth in April: S&P Global

RIYADH: The non-oil private sectors of the UAE, Kuwait, and Qatar continued their expansion in April, supported by strong demand, improving output, and stable employment conditions, according to the latest Purchasing Managers鈥 Index surveys released by S&P Global.

In the UAE, the headline PMI held steady at 54 for a second consecutive month, reflecting continued momentum in the country鈥檚 non-oil economy. While output growth eased to a seven-month low, firms ramped up hiring at the fastest rate in nearly a year to manage capacity pressures. New orders surged, underpinned by the strongest international demand in five months.

This robust performance aligns with a wider regional trend of economic diversification, as Gulf nations鈥攊ncluding 萝莉视频鈥攚ork to reduce their long-standing reliance on oil revenues.

鈥淭he April PMI results signaled a notable uptick in hiring activity across the non-oil private sector,鈥 said David Owen, senior economist at S&P Global Market Intelligence.

鈥淎fter several months of mild increases in payroll numbers, despite robust sales growth, job creation rose to its highest level in 11 months.鈥

Owen noted that the hiring push was largely aimed at easing backlogs, which, while still rising, did so at the slowest pace in six months. 鈥淭hat said, employment growth was still modest overall, adding to suggestions that some firms may be struggling to recruit,鈥 he added.

Any PMI reading above 50 indicates expansion in the non-oil private sector, while a figure below 50 denotes contraction.

Business confidence in the UAE climbed to its highest level so far in 2025, as firms cited strong demand pipelines and positive expectations. Input purchases rose again in April, though at a slower pace than March, which had marked a 68-month high.

鈥淔irms are hopeful that elevated demand levels and strong pipelines, as characterized by steeply rising backlogs, should propel activity higher in the coming months,鈥 Owen said.

Despite increased purchasing and faster supplier delivery times, stock levels remained largely unchanged for the second consecutive month. Business optimism also rose for the third straight month in April.

In Dubai, operating conditions in the non-oil private sector improved at a slower pace due to weaker growth in new business inflows. Nonetheless, order books continued to expand sharply, driving strong overall business activity. Employment rebounded in April after a brief dip in March, as companies aimed to boost capacity. However, firms in Dubai expressed subdued confidence about future activity, with sentiment among the lowest on record.

Kuwait sees strongest output

Kuwait's non-oil private sector saw significant gains in April, with the country鈥檚 PMI rising to 54.2 from 52.3 in March鈥攎arking one of the sharpest expansions on record since the survey began in 2018.

鈥淚t was a bumper start to the second quarter of 2025 for non-oil companies in Kuwait, with a further influx of new orders leading companies to expand output at one of the sharpest rates since the survey began,鈥 said Andrew Harker, economics director at S&P Global Market Intelligence.

The expansion was driven by robust new order growth, supported by competitive pricing and strategic marketing efforts. However, firms faced rising input costs that made it harder to maintain price stability.

While employment rose only marginally, the minimal hiring contributed to a further buildup in outstanding work.

鈥淚t remains to be seen, however, whether firms will be able to keep restricting selling prices in a scenario where input costs are rising sharply,鈥 Harker noted. 鈥淭he coming months will illustrate the extent to which companies are happy to see margins come under pressure in order to keep orders flowing in.鈥

Kuwaiti firms also reported a notable increase in export orders. Optimism about future output remained high, supported by competitive strategies, product development, and marketing.

Qatar growth slows slightly

Qatar鈥檚 non-oil sector saw a slight dip in overall momentum in April, with its PMI falling to 50.7 from 52 in March. Despite the decline, the index stayed above the neutral 50 mark for the 16th consecutive month, reflecting continued鈥攊f slower鈥攇rowth.

Output among Qatari non-energy firms rose for the first time in 2025, but the sector faced a drop in new business and a cooling labor market.

鈥淭he PMI indicated continuing growth of the non-energy private sector economy at the start of the second quarter, but there was a loss of momentum owing mainly to a renewed reduction in new business and slower employment growth,鈥 said Trevor Balchin, economics director at S&P Global Market Intelligence.

鈥淭he latest figure of 50.7 was the lowest in three months and below the long-run trend level of 52.3, as weaker demand offset an increase in total output.鈥

Growth was led by the manufacturing, services, and wholesale and retail sectors, while construction activity remained weak despite signs of stabilization.

Job creation remained positive across sectors, although April saw the slowest employment growth since August 2024.

鈥淭he employment component remained elevated in April, indicating further strong jobs growth. That said, there was evidence that the recent labor market boom was easing, with the rate of job creation down at an eight-month low,鈥 Balchin said.

Wage growth also slowed to a five-month low but remained among the strongest since the survey鈥檚 inception in 2017.

Looking ahead, Qatari businesses maintained optimism for the year ahead, citing growth in real estate, infrastructure development, tourism, and a rising expatriate population as key drivers.