Saudi Arabia aims for top 10 tourism status
In an ambitious statement, Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Tourism, Ahmed Al-Khateeb, expressed the country’s goal to become one of the top 10 most successful countries in tourism this year. Speaking at the Manafea Forum in Madinah, Al-Khateeb emphasized that the Kingdom has the necessary capabilities and requirements to achieve this milestone.
Vision 2030: Diversifying the Economy
As part of the Vision 2030 initiative, Saudi Arabia is focusing on developing the tourism and entertainment sectors to diversify its economy away from oil revenues. Al-Khateeb highlighted the National Tourism Strategy, which aims to attract over 150 million visitors by 2030.
Investing in Tourism Infrastructure
Al-Khateeb outlined the Tourism Investment Enablers program, which aims to empower the private sector and streamline the investment process to achieve the country’s tourism goals. The minister also emphasized the importance of training Saudi nationals for positions in the tourism and hospitality fields, with an annual budget exceeding SR375 million ($99.9 million) for training programs at home and abroad.
Enhancing Visitor Experience
To enrich the visitor experience, the Ministry of Tourism is focused on preparing historical sites and archaeological monuments. The Tourism Development Fund, with $4 billion in capital, has financed over 50 projects to facilitate local and international investors’ access to high-potential tourism investments across key destinations in Saudi Arabia.