From sports tourism to devout tourism, as a component of its Vision 2030 plan, Saudi Arabia needs to bring the industry to life to generate 10% of GDP and create one million new jobs. The most visited Arab country at the moment is the United Arab Emirates with 14. 8 million visitors, followed by Morocco with 11 million.
Riyadh (AsiaNews) – Saudi Arabia is the number one tourist destination of Arab countries.
According to the latest report of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), more than 18 million entered the country in the first nine months of 2022.
In recent years, the kingdom has invested more in the industry, focusing on sports, such as the recent Formula 1 race in Riyadh and the 2029 Asian Winter Games in Neom, a long-term planned city that has sparked complaints from the environment and human rights. rights groups.
According to UNWTO figures, the most visited country at the moment after Saudi Arabia is the United Arab Emirates (UAE) with 14. 8 million tourists, followed by Morocco (11 million) and Syria (8. 5 million). For Syria, tourism is repairing the symbol of the country. and breathe new life into its economy, brought to its knees by war and the COVID-19 pandemic.
It is followed by Tunisia (5. 7 million), Egypt (5. 2 million), Bahrain (4. 3 million), Jordan (3. 5 million), Qatar, host of the 2022 FIFA World Cup (2. 9 million), Oman (2. 3 million).
At the moment are Algeria (2 million), Lebanon (1. 6 million), Iraq (1. 5 million), Yemen (1 million), Sudan (800,000), Palestine (400,000) and despite all Kuwait (203,000).
For Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, tourism is a major component of Saudi Arabia’s ambitious Vision 2030, designed to decrease the kingdom’s dependence on oil. The aim is to achieve one hundred million visitors by 2030 through investments in the recreational and entertainment industry.
Recent reforms, especially since 2019, have also affected Saudi society, with new rights granted to women, such as the right to drive a car and pass (with restrictions) to stadiums. Similarly, efforts are under way to revitalize the cultural industry and reform the sphere.
However, there have been several shadows over the reform process, such as the arrests of senior officials and businessmen, the repression of activists and critical voices, and the Khashoggi case.
However, the course is set. A law recently passed by the Saudi government targets the competitiveness of the country’s tourism industry; at least that’s the goal of Tourism Minister Ahmad al-Khateeb.
Thanks to the new legislation, corporations will obtain special licenses and from the ministry, which plans to simplify licensing regulations and establish a one-stop-shop platform for all tourism stakeholders.
Ultimately, the aim is the sector’s contribution to the country’s economy, focusing also on devout tourism in Mecca and Medina, so that it produces 10% of its GDP and creates up to one million new jobs.
From sports tourism to devout tourism, as a component of its Vision 2030 plan, Saudi Arabia needs to bring the industry to life to generate 10% of GDP and create one million new jobs. The most visited Arab country at the moment is the United Arab Emirates with 14. 8 million visitors, followed by Morocco with 11 million.