With spending to hit $550 bn on Saudi tourism sector, the ‎Kingdom looks for new oil – CNN

Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has now become the largest investor in the tourism sector in the world, and is promoting itself as a global travel destination. Based on Vision 2030, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia plans to pump $550 billion (more than 2 trillion riyals) into tourism projects during the current decade, according to CNN.

According to a report broadcast by the American channel, the Kingdom has many tourist attractions, including Diriyah, which has turned into what will become the largest cultural and heritage destination in the world, opening its shops to more and more tourists. Diriyah, a cultural and lifestyle development project, aims to pump 63.2 billion riyals, inspired by the timeless Najd architecture in Al-Turaif.

CNN touched on AlUla, which offers tourists adventures under the stars, away from the city lights. The vast open spaces of remote desert lands create some of the most enviable dark atmospheres in the world, making AlUla an ideal place for stargazing.

In addition, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has a different attraction on the Red Sea along with religious sites such as Medina and Makkah. Now the Kingdom attracts millions every year.

The American channel stated that among those who were attracted to visit Saudi Arabia recently was the Argentine soccer star, Lionel Messi, and his family, amid reports of possible negotiations between the player, who is considered one of the most important players in the world, and the Saudi club Al Hilal, which is making him a potential offer.

Speaking to CNN, the CEO of the Saudi Tourism Authority, Fahd Hamid al-Din, said he spoke with Messi and his family to welcome them to Diriyah.

“I can tell you that Messi’s wife, Antonella, was amazed, not only by the beauty and magic of this historical site, but by the people and women of Saudi Arabia. She told me that they are really different from what she thought, and I expect her to come back again.” Others, not only her, but we welcome all families from all over the world. To the details of the interview with the CEO of the Saudi Tourism Authority, Fahd Hamid Al-Din:

Going Domestic to Reach Global

In 2021, during the Covid-19 pandemic, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia succeeded in attracting 93.5 million domestic and international visitors, and it aims to attract 100 million visitors annually by 2030, as the Kingdom is the largest investor in tourism by spending $ 550. A billion dollars to develop and promote major projects and new destinations, so what is the strategy in that?

Hamid El Din replied: “The strategy is based on doing the right thing for tourism and tourists, but we keep in mind that it starts with residents and domestic tourism and keeping in mind the downturn of the sector during Covid we knew we need to start locally. If your market is seen sustainable and flexible, it means you have a local market that companies usually look for. Then we do what’s right for visitors.”

The well-known CNN anchor, Becky Anderson, asked: Diriyah was opened, AlUla was opened, and the Red Sea region witnessed a lot of mega projects over the past two years, how can you benefit from these projects to ensure growth?

Hamid Al-Din said: “Frankly, I would like to take advantage of all the opportunities for the tourism sector, as the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is witnessing a transformation in all sectors, even the Saudis. I am a father of two girls, so what are the opportunities available to them? They are many especially since the announcement of Vision 2030. Therefore, this transformation represents an impetus for all economic engines, but returning to tourism, it is expected that tourism will be the new oil. The world came to Saudi Arabia in 1920 for oil, but we we saw them come in 2020 for tourism.

Anderson: As you said, tourism is the new oil for Saudi Arabia. What is the impact of the tourism sector in the future?

“It might be appropriate for such popular rated destinations, but for us, the basis for the growth is I think I will look for a great opportunity at a lower price, like lower cost airlines, and I think that will attract more people to Saudi Arabia, the greater demand, the greater to invest.”

How does Saudi Arabia compare to other tourist destinations in the region such as Dubai which is a more mature market?

We are the cradle of the Arab land, we are the largest land in the Arabian Peninsula, we are the true home of the Arabian Peninsula, we have the largest coastline on the great Arabian Red Sea, the kingdom is a meeting point for ancient trade routes, we have a cultural civilization such as Al-Ula, the Arabian Peninsula Modernity in Riyadh and the future of the Arabian Peninsula that you see in NEOM

From a religious point of view, how do you see the tourism sector in a broader view?

“As you can see, Saudi Arabia has always been the land of journeys and the most thoughtful destination that Muslims from different countries of the world yearn for, there are 1.8 billion Muslims, and the space could not fit them, and there were a lot of controls but now it is easier to come to Saudi Arabia This year, during the first quarter, the Kingdom received 4.1 million pilgrims, and our goal was only 3 million, so it is exceptional.

Why is it important to be accessible to non-Muslim travelers, is there a vision?

“I tell you Medina is a vision, it is available today to attract non-Muslims. If you look at the number of people who have been queuing for years to go to Makkah and Madinah, you will realize that capacity has to be managed as a priority. We are in great demand because of our stature Amidst the Islamic world, and then in Medina, we have an off-Haram experience that welcomes curious spiritual, religious and cultural travelers to come and visit.”

With the dull face of the world, political headwinds, tightening monetary policy and financial instability at present, how does the Saudi Tourism Authority view these geographic, economic and political headwinds?

“The expected growth and the landscape in the sector far exceeds the impact that an economic slowdown could assume, and I think there is a lot of growth expected around the world and in a new destination like Saudi Arabia for sure.”