SUSTG.com / Research

Discover stories, topics, and more about Saudi Arebia faster.

Recent stories from sustg

MUST-READS

  • In 2023, Saudi Arabian Tourism by Numbers

    For the first time on September 27, 2023, World Tourism Day was celebrated in Riyadh with the presence of tourism ministers from various countries worldwide. Furthermore, the Kingdom was selected to host the 26th General Assembly of the World Tourism Organization in 2025 and was re-elected as the head of the organization’s executive council, showcasing its leadership in the international tourism sector. On the same day, the Riyadh College of Hospitality and Tourism was announced, set to be the world’s largest in providing training and supplying the workforce for the tourism sector.

  • Why Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea coast could be the next big luxury tourism destination

    Travelers are running out of new places to discover, but there could be one treasure hidden in plain sight. Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea coast stretches for more than a thousand miles, from the northern border with Jordan in the Gulf of Aqaba to Yemen in the far south. Much of that, outside of big cities like Jeddah, is undeveloped coastline of turquoise water, offshore islands, pristine beaches and coral reefs.

  • NEOM Unveils Leyja: A New Tourism Destination in Northwest Saudi Arabia

    NEOM has just unveiled “Leyja” as a new tourism destination in Northwest Saudi Arabia. Featuring three different hotels by world-renowned architects, the Leyja region is located in an ancient valley overhung by mountains 400 m tall. The project includes a staggering hotel by Chris van Duijn, a mirrored hotel by Shaun Killa, and a vertical rock hotel by Mario Cucinella. In an attempt to support sustainable tourism, the destination is part of the Saudi Vision 2030.

  • Saudi Arabia’s tourism revolution: Accelerating towards new era of global travel

    In 2023, Saudi Arabia has made significant strides in transforming itself into a premier global tourism destination, with the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) Barometer reporting it as the world’s second fastest-growing tourist destination.

  • Year in review: How Saudi Arabia made its mark in tech, tourism, diplomacy and entertainment in 2023

    Saudi Arabia will look back on 2023 as a year of triumphs, having hosted major events in the fields of technology, culture, sport and diplomacy, while continuing on its path of impressive economic expansion and diversification. In the past 12 months, the Kingdom has played host to sports stars, tech experts, fashionistas, and music and movie legends. Having secured its bid to host World Expo 2030, Saudi Arabia has a lot to celebrate as it enters the new year.

  • Saudi Arabia Government Launches a “Farming Tourism” Business

    Dan’s first project will be located in the Al Ahsa region and will cover 1.8 million square meters. It will feature an eco-resort, an agri-resort and an adventure resort, according to the Public Investment Fund (PIF). The company is also expected to contribute approximately $1.6 billion (SAR 6 billion) to Saudi Arabia’s non-oil GDP by 2030, betting on intrepid travelers getting involved in “traditional farming experiences” in the Gulf state.

  • Tourism minister: Saudi Arabia will generate 250,000 jobs by hosting Expo 2030

    Minister of Tourism Ahmed Al-Khateeb said that Saudi Arabia will create as many as 250,000 jobs during its hosting of Expo 2030 in Riyadh. He also highlighted the importance of sustainable jobs that the Kingdom will generate and these include jobs related to 1,000 hotel rooms on the sidelines of the global exhibition.

    The minister made the remarks while addressing a ministerial roundtable session titled “Accelerated Progress in the Labor Market,” during the first-ever Global Labor Market Conference (GLMC), which started at the King Abdulaziz International Convention Center in Riyadh on Wednesday.

  • Saudi wealth fund PIF establishes company to boost agritourism and ecotourism

    Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund has established a company to develop tourism projects around cities that have attractive natural and farmed landscapes.

    Specialised in agritourism and ecotourism, Dan Company is expected to contribute about $1.6 billion to Saudi Arabia’s non-oil economy by 2030, the PIF said in a statement.

    It aims to develop and operate high-end resorts and lodges in partnership with the local community and will allow visitors to experience regional culture and traditions including arts, crafts and local cuisines, the PIF said.

  • Saudi Arabia tops G20 in tourism growth, emerges as second globally

    Saudi Arabia emerged as the second fastest-growing tourist destination in the world, according to a report of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) Barometer.  The UNWTO report also showed that Saudi Arabia ranked first as the fastest-growing tourist destination in the G20 countries.  The report is based on the figures pertaining to the growth rate of international tourist inflow during the first nine months of 2023, the Ministry of Tourism said, quoting the Barometer.  The report indicated that the recovery rate of the tourism sector in Saudi Arabia reached 150 percent compared to pre COVID-19 levels.  The Barometer showed that the highest recovery rate recorded by international tourism in the Middle East at the global level is 120 percent compared to pro-pandemic levels.

  • flynas Becomes 1st Saudi Airline To Join UN Tourism Organization

    Over the past few months, the airline has forged closer ties with the United Nations’ environmental and tourism agencies, including becoming the first Middle Eastern low-cost carrier to join forces with the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC) in August. The latest update sees flynas align with the UNWTO as an affiliate member, a first for Saudi Arabia.