Saudi's Jeddah old town regains glory as the Grand Prix lures tourists
JEDDAH: When Saudi Arabia's Red Sea port of Jeddah hosted Formula One star Lewis Hamilton and US singer Jennifer Lopez during its Grand Prix this month, visitors found they were also drawn to a less obvious attraction - the historic old town.
Jeddah is known for being the kingdom's modern commercial hub, and the exodus of its merchant class meant its old town had fallen into neglect.
The kingdom's ambitious Vision 2030 plan to diversify its economy and make itself less dependent on oil, however, has included revitalising culture to lure tourism revenue.
Visitors who came for the F1 event found they loved the slower pace of the restored old Jeddah.
Saudi more than doubles 2030 foreign tourism target: minister
Known in Arabic as al-Balad, the Town, has the feel of previous centuries with its Arabic-styled wooden architecture in brown and blue colours that reflect the city's location between the sand of the Arabian desert and the sea.
'It's my first time in Saudi Arabia and the old city is very beautiful with earthly tones… and has a very particular architecture,' said Rossella from Milan. Al-Balad was listed as a UNESCO world heritage site in 2014. Since then, the government has accelerated plans to restore about 650 buildings and revive the district's local businesses.
Fadil Zahir, 57, was born in the old town and works as a barista there.
'Tourists and visitors are coming to al-Balad in great numbers,' he said.
UNESCO cited historic Jeddah as 'the only surviving urban ensemble of the Red Sea,' where coral stone tower houses adorned with Roshan wooden balconies stand alongside mosques as old as the advent of Islam, when the third Caliph Uthman bin Affan declared the city to be Makkah's official port.
'I am 62 now, I now see what I could see 40 years back. You talk about changes, I say it's actually going back to the original,' said Ahmed Alkhanbashi, a general manager at Alkhanbashi Business Development Bureau.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Business Recorder
20 hours ago
- Business Recorder
Oil up on hopes of positive US-China trade talks
NEW YORK: Oil prices edged up 1% to a seven-week high on Tuesday on hopes trade talks between the US and China - the world's two biggest economies - will result in a deal that could support global economic growth and boost oil demand. Brent crude futures rose 81 cents, or 1.2%, to $67.85 a barrel by 11:22 a.m. EDT (1522 GMT), while US West Texas Intermediate crude rose 83 cents, or 1.3%, to $66.12. Those gains pushed both crude benchmarks into technically overbought territory for the first time since early April and put Brent on track for its highest close since April 17 and WTI on track for its highest close since April 3. US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said trade talks with China were going well as the two sides met for a second day in London, seeking a breakthrough on export controls that have threatened a fresh rupture between the superpowers. 'There's a sense of optimism around these trade talks; the market is waiting to see what this will produce, and that is supporting prices,' said Harry Tchilinguirian, group head of research at Onyx Capital. On the supply side, allocations to Chinese refiners showed that Saudi Arabia's state oil company Saudi Aramco will ship about 47 million barrels of oil to China in July, 1 million barrels less than June's allotted volume, Reuters reported. The Saudi allocations could be an early sign that the unwinding of OPEC+ production cuts might not result in much additional supply, Tchilinguirian said. OPEC+, which pumps about half of the world's oil and includes the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and allies like Russia, put forward plans for an output increase of 411,000 barrels per day (bpd) for July as it looks to unwind production cuts for a fourth straight month. A Reuters survey found that OPEC's May increase to oil output was limited, with Iraq, the second biggest OPEC producer behind Saudi Arabia, pumping below target to compensate for earlier overproduction, and Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates making smaller increases than agreed. Elsewhere, Iran said it would soon make a counter-proposal for a nuclear deal in response to a US offer that Tehran deems 'unacceptable', while US President Donald Trump made clear that the two sides remained at odds over whether Tehran would be allowed to continue enriching uranium on Iranian soil. Iran is the third-largest OPEC producer and any easing of US sanctions on Tehran should allow Iran to export more oil, which should reduce crude prices.
Business Recorder
a day ago
- Business Recorder
Most Gulf markets gain as investors eye US-China talks
Most stock markets in the Gulf ended higher on Tuesday, tracking gains in global equities as investors looked for progress in U.S.-China trade talks that could ease tensions between the world's two largest economies. U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said on Tuesday trade talks with China were going well as the two sides met for a second day in London, seeking a breakthrough on export controls that have threatened a fresh rupture between the superpowers. World stocks, as reflected by the MSCI All-Country World index, traded near record highs, while the dollar steadied against a range of currencies. Dubai's main share index rose 0.1%, helped by a 1.8% rise in top lender Emirates NBD. The bourse's gains were limited after the benchmark index hit its highest since 2008 on Monday. However, underlying momentum remains intact, suggesting the potential for further advances in the coming sessions, said Osama Al Saifi, Managing Director for MENA at Traze. 'Although many sectors were in negative territory today, solid market fundamentals point towards continuous gains.' Most Gulf markets rise, Dubai's main index hits over 17-year high Abu Dhabi, the main index finished 0.5% higher. Oil prices - a catalyst for the Gulf's financial markets - climbed as investors awaited the outcome of U.S.-China trade talks and as Saudi Arabia's crude supply to China is set to dip slightly. The Qatari index advanced 1.3%, led by a 1.4% gain in the Gulf's biggest lender Qatar National Bank. Outside the Gulf, Egypt's blue-chip index closed 0.7% higher, with Talaat Moustafa Group Holding rising 2.5%. The Saudi and Bahrain bourses remained closed due to a public holiday. ------------------------------------- Abu Dhabi up 0.5% to 9,796 Dubai added 0.1% to 5,599 QATAR rose 1.3% to 10,697 EGYPT gained 0.7% to 32,904 OMAN was up 0.1% to 4,582 KUWAIT added 0.8% to 8,925 -------------------------------------
Express Tribune
4 days ago
- Express Tribune
Pakistani pilgrims laud Saudi Arabia for ‘impressive' Hajj arrangements
Over 115,000 Pakistani pilgrims travelled to Saudi Arabia this year to perform the annual pilgrimage. Photo Courtesy: Harmain Listen to article Pakistani pilgrims on Saturday lauded the Saudi government for its 'impressive' arrangements during this year's Hajj, the Ministry of Religious Affairs said, as Muslims across Pakistan and the world celebrated Eid al-Adha. Over 115,000 Pakistani pilgrims travelled to Saudi Arabia this year under government and private schemes to perform the annual pilgrimage. 'I had a very good Hajj experience,' said Nadia Sarfaraz, a pilgrim from Karachi. 'Everything went smoothly and we have no complaints against anyone. The Saudi government is providing support here and our own government is helping a lot too.' To Arafat! Labbaik Allahuma Labbaik! — Inside the Haramain (@insharifain) June 5, 2025 Rabia Babar, a pilgrim from Islamabad, praised the facilitation of pilgrims, particularly women, highlighting the separate lifts and fully carpeted areas in Muzdalifah, where pilgrims spend the night. This year's Hajj saw heightened security and measures to combat illicit pilgrims, along with various heat mitigation efforts that resulted in smaller crowds at the holy sites in Makkah and surrounding areas. 'There were coolers and drinking water available everywhere,' Babar said. 'They had large refrigerators and provided water bottles and even shower facilities.' Faraz Latif, a pilgrim from Quetta, commended both the Pakistani and Saudi governments for the arrangements, urging fellow pilgrims to maintain cleanliness and embrace patience during and beyond Hajj. His Highness The Emir of Madinah performs Eid Al Adha prayers in Masjid Al Nabawi. — Inside the Haramain (@insharifain) June 6, 2025 'It will help you not just during Hajj but throughout your life,' he said. The first Pakistani flight carrying Hajj pilgrims back home is scheduled to arrive in Karachi on June 11.
