KSA to build 250k hotel rooms

Driven by Vision 2030, Saudi Arabia is redefining global tourism with its rich cultural heritage, modern attractions, and forward-thinking strategies, establishing itself as a must-visit destination for travellers seeking diverse and unforgettable experiences. At a recent event, His Excellency Ahmed Al Khateeb, Minister of Tourism, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, shared that tourism has become the most important sector in the economy.

TT Bureau

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia ranked third globally in the growth rate of international tourist arrivals with over 61 per cent of the arrivals in the first eight to nine months of 2024 compared to the same period in 2019, according to a press release issued by UN Tourism in December 2024. The consistent performance and continued success in the tourism sector underlines the efforts of all stakeholders in the tourism ecosystem, including the plans and strategies of the Ministry of Tourism, which aims to achieve the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030. The significant increase in the number of inbound tourists also reflects the confidence of travellers in the Kingdom’s attractive and diverse tourism offering, thereby enhancing Saudi Arabia’s standing as a leading global tourist destination.

Earlier, Saudi Arabia had advanced 15 positions in the global ranking of inbound tourist spending, leading the upward movement among the top 50 countries and ranking 12th globally in 2023 compared to 2019. Additionally, the Kingdom led the G20 countries in the growth of international tourist arrivals in the first seven months of 2024 compared to 2019. Through

His Excellency Ahmed Al Khateeb, Minister of Tourism, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, said, “As the Minister of Tourism and Chairman of the Executive Council of the UN Tourism Organisation, I would like to shed light on the global tourism industry. We are finally recovering from the devastating impact of the pandemic, and I am optimistic that by the end of this year, we will see full recovery. Let us hope we never experience another crisis of such magnitude.”

His Excellency added, “Tourism is not merely a sector; it is a vital engine for economic growth and job creation. Globally, tourism accounts for 10 per cent of jobs, and 80 per cent of tourism businesses are small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)—entities that often cannot withstand major crises. Importantly, 45 per cent of the workforce in this industry comprises women, making tourism an essential driver of social and economic progress. The World Travel & Tourism Council predicts that tourism will almost double over the next decade—a testament to its potential. In alignment with Vision 2030, Saudi Arabia recognised this opportunity and pivoted from its historical focus on oil and gas. Today, under Vision 2030, we are unlocking new sectors: tourism, culture, sports, and entertainment. The results speak for themselves.”

His Excellency reiterated, “Tourism is transformative. It creates jobs, empowers women, boosts rural economies, and drives GDP growth. In 2019, we launched our National Tourism Strategy, and since then, we have witnessed double-digit growth across jobs, GDP contribution, and tourist numbers. We set a goal of 100 million tourists by 2030—a milestone we reached last year. We have now raised the target to 150 million tourists, including 55 million international arrivals by 2030. This ambitious target will position Saudi Arabia among the top five most-visited countries in the world.”

Tourism’s contribution to Saudi GDP has grown from 3 per cent in 2019 to 5 per cent today, with a clear path to reach 10 per cent by 2030.