Minister Al Khateeb speaks at the session. Image courtesy: SPA
KSA on track to welcome 70m foreign tourists by 2030
DAVOS, 12 days ago
Saudi Arabia is on track to welcome 70 million tourists annually by 2030, aiming to rank among the top seven global tourist destinations, said Minister of Tourism Ahmed Al Khateeb.
Speaking at The Way We Will Travel panel session of the the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos on Wednesday, he said Saudi Arabia welcomed a record number of nearly 30 million international tourists last year, a Saudi Press Agency report said.
Al Khateeb attributed the success of Saudi Arabia's tourism industry to sound governance and integrated planning. He emphasised key initiatives, such as the introduction of e-visas and the construction of airports in major tourist destinations, which have significantly boosted the number of international visitors.
Saudi Arabia focuses on enhancing the entire tourist journey, from flights and landing points to mobility and destinations, Al Khateeb said.
Efforts are underway to develop new destinations and modern airports, including King Salman International Airport, which is projected to accommodate over 120 million travellers. Additionally, the kingdom has launched a new airline, Riyadh Air, to further support its tourism objectives.
During the session, European Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism Apostolos Tzitzikostas praised the significant advancements in Saudi Arabia's tourism sector. He highlighted the kingdom's collaboration with various destinations and countries, emphasizing its strong performance in the field.
Speaking at a session on expanding the scope of sustainable tourism, held at the Saudi House pavilion at WEF, Al Khateeb highlighted the remarkable achievements of Saudi Arabia's tourism sector and its dedication to environmental sustainability under the framework of Vision 2030.
He emphasised the vital role of the travel and tourism sector in driving economic growth, fostering diversification, and enhancing global cultural exchange.
Al Khateeb underscored the Kingdom's investment of over $500 billion in developing innovative and environmentally friendly tourist destinations. He cited projects such as AlUla and The Red Sea, showcasing how sustainability is integrated at every stage, from design to implementation.
He also referred to the Saudi Green Initiative and Green Riyadh launched by HRH Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, reaffirming the kingdom's commitment to planting millions of trees by 2030.
Al Khateeb noted that the Kingdom is pursuing ambitious yet environmentally conscious investments, embedding sustainability into all aspects of its tourism development. He reiterated Saudi Arabia's pledge to achieve net-zero emissions by 2060, stressing that sustainability requires a systematic global effort to mitigate growing environmental risks.
