MUST-READS

• Why tourism is set to drive economic diversification in the Gulf

  Saudi Arabia reported more than 106 million tourists in 2023, up 12 per cent from 2022 and an astonishing 56 per cent higher than 2019. Of this 106 million, slightly more than a quarter, or 27.4 million, were international visitors.

  Dubai attracted a record 17.2 million international visitors last year, up by about 20 per cent year on year, while the other emirates also reported strong growth in both domestic and international visitor numbers in 2023.

  Hospitality was the fastest-growing sector in both Dubai and Qatar in the first nine months of last year, posting double-digit growth. In Bahrain, hospitality was the second fastest-growing sector after transport.

• Riyadh Air Strengthens Partnership with Saudi Tourism Authority to Promote Sector

  Riyadh Air, which is owned by the Public Investment Fund, concluded a memorandum of understanding with the Saudi Tourism Authority (STA) to boost joint cooperation as part of the national carrier’s efforts to shape the future of tourism in the Kingdom and advance air travel. The new partnership, which was signed at Arabian Travel Market (ATM) in Dubai, focuses on several key areas, including new routes and destinations, joint marketing activities, sponsorship opportunities, presence at key roadshows and international events and accessibility to tourism-related platforms. It also aims to explore collaboration in loyalty programs, leverage world-leading technology and new digital methods and engage in the Tourism Accelerator Program.

• Saudi tourism sector booming, IHG currently builds 39 hotels: CEO

  The Saudi tourism sector is seeing continuous growth. The Ministry of Tourism has managed to surpass the target number of visitors, in addition to the rise in occupancy rates and increased demand from tourists and businessmen to the Kingdom, Haitham Mattar, CEO of IHG Hotels & Resorts in the India, Middle East, and Africa region, said that the tourism sector, said.

• Saudi tourism grows 10% in Q1 2024: Minister

  Saudi Arabia witnessed a 10% year-on-year (YoY) increase in the number of tourists and a 17% YoY increase in tourist spending in Q1 2024, Al Arabiya reported, citing Saudi Minister of Tourism Ahmed Al-Khateeb.   Al-Khateeb expected the number of tourists to increase to 110 million and spending to rise to SAR 150 million by 2030, aligning with the new tourism projects in the Red Sea, NEOM’s opening of Sindalah Island by year-end, and the Diriyah project.

• Saudi Arabia is making a high-risk $1 trillion bet on tourism

  On a clear day in March, tourists in golf carts and jeeps bounce amid dunes and cliffs at Desert X AlUla, a biannual open-air exhibition affiliated with Coachella, the famed California desert arts festival. They gaze at a giant hollow sphere with reflective glass set against a line of rock fragments by Saudi artist Faisal Samra and terra cotta pots scattered on the sand courtesy of Ghanaian Ibrahim Mahama. “We are trying to give them the time of their lives,” says Abdulaziz Alsulami, 18, who recently graduated from an international school in Riyadh and works at the exhibition.

• How Saudi Arabia Is Leading the Way for Regenerative Tourism

  When John Pagano arrived in Saudi Arabia in 2018, the country subverted his expectations. "We all paint a picture in our minds of what the Middle East is about," he said. "I found a pristine environment, an archipelago of 90 beautiful islands, and turquoise-colored water. It was truly remarkable." Pagano, who is Canadian, was moving to the Kingdom to take up a role as chief executive officer of Red Sea Global (RSG), a major new developer of ambitious regenerative tourism destinations. Pagano, an engineer by training, has had a long career working on large-scale real estate projects, including the Canary Wharf development in London and the Baha Mar project in the Bahamas. But this was unlike anything he had done before in its sheer scale. "I was persuaded by His Royal Highness and his vision for transforming the country," he said. "I had the opportunity to be part of it."

• Saudi Arabia achieves historic milestone in 2023 with record tourism balance of payments surplus
  Saudi Arabia's tourism sector has marked a historic achievement in 2023, recording the largest balance of payments surplus in its history, as the country continues to develop this key sector and diversify its income sources.
  The Financial Analysis Unit of "Al Eqtisadiyah" newspaper reports that the travel item of the Saudi balance of payments saw an unprecedented surplus of 48 billion riyals last year, fueled by a significant influx of international tourists.

• The new kid on Saudi Arabia’s tourism scene

  The announcement of Soudah Peaks was made through an integrated campaign titled ‘Above the Clouds’ that spanned various platforms, including a digital presence, a video showcasing the natural beauty and heritage of the region, and out-of-home advertising in key locations such as Dubai, Paris, London, New York, Geneva and Riyadh.

• Al-Khateeb: Saudi Arabia pumps SR375 million annually to support skills of Saudis in tourism sector

  Minister of Tourism Ahmed Al-Khateeb said that Saudi Arabia pumps SR375 million annually to support enhancing the skills of Saudis in the tourism sector. “This contributed to raising their rates to 40 percent and we are targeting 50 percent. We are also working to facilitate the issuance of licenses instantly instead of the current duration of five days,” he said while addressing the Manafea Forum in Madinah.

• Almosafer’s CEO on Navigating the Future of Saudi Tourism

  Behind every successful travel destination is a story of adaptation and foresight. For Saudi Arabia, it’s about embracing change and rewriting the narrative. With the country hitting its tourism target of 100 million visitors seven years early, the sector is poised for unprecedented innovation and growth. Travel companies in the region now face the challenge of recalibrating to keep pace with emerging trends and new market realities. SkiftX spoke with Muzzammil Ahussain, CEO of Almosafer, to gain insights into the evolving dynamics shaping the future of Saudi Arabia’s tourism landscape and the key forces and opportunities propelling the sector forward.

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