Saudi Arabia strives to become one of the world’s top 10 tourist attractors

At an investment forum in Riyadh, Saudi Tourism Minister Ahmed Al Khateeb said the kingdom’s tourism sector fulfilled its 2023 target of 100 million tourists with 77 million local visitors and 27 million tourist arrivals.

Al Khateeb cited a strategy outlined by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman envisaging 150 million tourists in the country by the year 2030 including 80 million local tourists and 70 million foreign arrivals.

“The state has committed itself to training more than 100,000 young men and women per year, including 15,000 trained at the best world institutes to work in tourism,” Al Khateeb said.

He added that the Tourism Development Fund, set up in 2020, has financed more than 50 projects with around SR35 billion.

As part of an ambitious development scheme to diversify Saudi Arabia’s oil-reliant economy, the kingdom has introduced tourist visas upon arrival or online for citizens for citizens of several nationalities. According to Deloitte Insights, in 2019, the kingdom opened its rich variety of historic, architectural, and natural landmarks to leisure travellers for the first time in its history.

Last month, Al Khateeb said his ministry had signed multiple agreements for the introduction of major hotels to elevate the kingdom’s hospitality services.

According to officials, the country’s tourism contribution last year rose 4.5% GPD.

In recent news, the governments of Saudi Arabia and Thailand finalised a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to develop the medical tourism industry.