Interview: Ahmed Al Khateeb, Minister of Tourism
Which strategies are being implemented to develop tourism following the Covid-19 pandemic?
AHMED AL KHATEEB: In the wake of the pandemic, Saudi Arabia is continuing its journey to transform its tourism sector, guided by Vision 2030. This initiative is not just about boosting tourism numbers but reshaping the Kingdom into a premier tourism destination.
Central to this vision is investment in major destinations throughout the country that contribute to the advancement of the tourism sector. This investment is not merely about infrastructure – it embodies a commitment to sustainability and social welfare, with the Kingdom pledging to achieve net-zero emissions by 2060 and investing $100m annually in talent development to provide an avenue for economic freedom.
The results of these efforts are already evident. Saudi Arabia surpassed its initial goal of attracting 100m domestic and foreign tourists annually by 2030 seven years early, reaching 109.3m visitors in 2023. This has spurred job creation, with the sector employing 959,200 people as of the first quarter of 2024. This growth underscores the sector’s vital and expanding role in driving economic and societal change.
How can cultural heritage and UNESCO World Heritage sites be leveraged to attract international tourists without compromising their preservation?
AL KHATEEB: With global international arrivals predicted to reach 1.8bn by 2030, the tourism sector must ensure that progress does not come at the cost of cultural heritage or the planet. Saudi Arabia’s cultural heritage and UNESCO World Heritage sites helped to attract 27.4m international tourists in 2023, with religious tourism accounting for 42% of that figure. To balance the popularity of these sites for visitors without undermining their integrity, sustainable tourism practices are at the core of our work.
That commitment can be seen in initiatives such as the Saudi Green Initiative and Green Middle East projects, which aim to reduce carbon emissions, promote renewable energy and enhance biodiversity, all while striving for net-zero emissions by 2060. This approach allows the Kingdom to provide access to its cultural riches while preserving them for future generations as seen in the development of major tourist centres including Diriyah, the Red Sea Project and Qiddiya.
What role do you see for the private sector in the Kingdom’s tourism economy?
AL KHATEEB: The private sector has played – and will continue to play – a pivotal role in Saudi Arabia’s burgeoning tourism economy. With the industry projected to contribute 11.4% to international GDP by 2034 and to support 449m jobs globally, Saudi Arabia is strategically positioning itself at the forefront of realising this economic potential. Public-private partnerships (PPPs) are at the heart of this strategy. One example is the expansion of Saudi Arabia’s global air connectivity, with an 8.4% increase in regional air route capacity significantly improving the Kingdom’s integration into global travel networks. Saudi Arabia is also focused on developing a skilled and inclusive workforce to ensure travellers enjoy their visit and that locals can share in the opportunities that a thriving tourism sector brings. Skills training programmes for recent graduates, such as Tamayyaz, in collaboration with French hospitality group Accor, epitomise this approach.
The hospitality industry is another positive example of successful global investment and PPPs. With more than 440,000 hotel rooms available and plans for expansion, major hotel chains share the Kingdom’s vision and are rapidly increasing their presence in the Kingdom. Hilton, for example, aims to increase the number of hotels it has in the country to 100 in the coming years. Similarly, Four Seasons and Hyatt are planning new developments in high-demand areas, including in Medina, NEOM and the Red Sea, further cementing Saudi Arabia’s position as a premier tourist destination.
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