Tourism
From The Report: Saudi Arabia 2023
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Saudi Arabia, with its rich cultural heritage and natural wonders, is rapidly transforming into a global tourism destination, a trend driven by Vision 2030, the country’s blueprint for socio-economic development. The introduction of tourist visas in 2019 marked a significant shift, emphasising the sector’s importance for diversification and job creation. Through strategic infrastructure investment, destination development and an emphasis on heritage, the Kingdom has successfully established itself on the global tourism stage. Government support and collaborative efforts among stakeholders are poised to make tourism a crucial force in reducing oil dependence and creating new revenue streams in the years ahead.

Articles from this Chapter

Overview

On the rise: The Kingdom continues to attract both foreign investment and visitors as it cements its position as a global destination
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As the birthplace of Islam and with a history stretching back thousands of years, Saudi Arabia’s tourism appeal has been deeply intertwined with its religious significance. However, apart from the Hajj and Umrah pilgrimages and typical business travel, the Kingdom’s rich cultural tapestry and natural wonders remained largely closed to international visitors for decades. This changed in September 2019 when the Kingdom introduced tourist visas for the first time. Fuelled by Vision 2030’s long-term…

Analysis

Cross-border connections: Gulf countries develop strategic partnerships to promote the region as a leading international travel destination
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In 2022 the Middle East witnessed the sharpest relative increase in international arrivals of any region in the world, solidifying its rebound from the disruption of the Covid-19 pandemic and further raising its profile as an increasingly attractive destination for inbound tourism. According to the UN World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO), in 2022 international arrivals in the Middle East recovered to 83% of the levels prior to the onset of Covid-19 pandemic, outperforming all other regions. Road To…

Analysis

Seek the faith: Faith-based tourism is expected to become a key growth segment for a number of markets around the world
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As many as 330m people travel for religious reasons each year, according to a UN World Tourism Organisation estimate from December 2014, forming a significant market for countries with attractions of spiritual or sacred value. These trips include pilgrimages, as well as sightseeing trips to important historical and religious sites throughout the year. Additionally, a 2018 report by IGI Global stated that it is assumed that some 25% of travellers are interested in this form of tourism. Global revenue…