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JEDDAH: The Ministry of Tourism has inaugurated new offices in the Makkah and Madinah regions as part of its initiative to improve the efficiency of tourism services, according to the Saudi Press Agency.

Ministry spokesperson Mohammed Al-Rasasimah said that the offices would oversee inspections, ensure regulatory compliance, support investors, enhance service quality, coordinate with government entities and provide a more integrated approach to managing tourism services for pilgrims and visitors.

A recent report indicated that tourism is a major economic sector in Madinah, employing 11 percent of the region’s workforce in the first quarter of 2025.

The Madinah Chamber of Commerce’s sectoral report also highlighted strong performance in hospitality, with the highest hotel occupancy rate in the Kingdom during the last quarter of 2024. Serviced apartments recorded an occupancy rate of 48.7 percent, the SPA reported.

Madinah ranks second after Makkah in average length of stay, with visitors spending about four nights. These trends align with Vision 2030’s aim to develop tourism and hospitality as sustainable economic sectors that create diverse job opportunities.

RIYADH: The Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition on Monday launched a seminar in the Maldives titled “Manifestations of Ideological Extremism in the Educational Environment” as part of its prevention initiative focused on intellectual awareness.

The event aims to strengthen intellectual resilience among educators and communities, and prevent the spread of extremist and deviant ideas in educational settings, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The seminar brought together academics, intellectuals and experts in education, thought and media from the Maldives, along with representatives from government bodies, educational institutions and other relevant entities.

It is part of the coalition’s broader efforts to bolster ideological prevention systems in member states by helping educators identify early signs of extremism, address its roots, and promote moderation and tolerance in schools and communities.

Through such seminars and lectures, the coalition emphasizes that education is the first line of defense against extremism, and that awareness and knowledge are key to safeguarding societies.