Wednesday, March 6, 2024
Saudi Arabia will kick off the prestigious ITB Berlin travel show today with a grand celebration marking the extraordinary achievement of welcoming 100 million tourists in 2023, seven years ahead of schedule.
Returning to ITB for the second consecutive year, Saudi brings a delegation of over 55 partners led by His Excellency Ahmed Al-Khateeb, Minister of Tourism and Chairman of the Saudi Tourism Authority (STA). The delegation includes leaders from various sectors of the Saudi tourism ecosystem, such as destination management companies, hotels, and airlines.
Building upon last year’s success of winning the “best exhibitor” title, His Excellency Al-Khateeb inaugurated Saudi’s most immersive and dynamic stand yet at this year’s ITB, promising an engaging experience for visitors throughout the event.
Over the course of the three-day show, Saudi aims to showcase its world-class year-round destinations to the European market, forge new trade partnerships, and highlight the impressive growth of its tourism sector.
The milestone of welcoming over 100 million tourists in 2023, far surpassing the Vision 2030 target, has propelled Saudi towards a new goal of 150 million tourists by 2030.
To commemorate this achievement and showcase Saudi Arabia’s emergence as a tourism powerhouse, His Excellency Al-Khateeb will host a celebratory reception titled “Breaking Records, Building Bridges” during ITB. The event will gather global tourism leaders and distinguished guests to underscore the remarkable growth and development of Saudi Arabia’s tourism sector, highlighting collaborative opportunities in the region.
Speaking on the milestone achievement, His Excellency Ahmed Al-Khateeb, Minister of Tourism and Chairman of the Saudi Tourism Authority, said:
“Saudi’s expanded participation this year’s ITB Berlin reflects our tremendous growth, as we celebrate a milestone of achieving over 100 million tourists in 2023.
“This achievement is not merely a number, but a testament to our unwavering commitment, our ability to inspire investment commitments into the tourism sector, and the collaborations made across the Saudi tourism ecosystem as a whole, which has propelled us forward as one of the world’s most dynamic destinations.
“Our goal is to strengthen Saudi’s position among the top 10 nations in the G20 for tourism, as the premier choice for both tourists and investors, a global powerhouse for tourism.”
At the 2024 ITB, Saudi’s exhibition stand will offer diverse experiences, featuring attractions like a full-scale F1 car and virtual driving simulation of the Jeddah Grand Prix circuit, along with a Saudi Pro League Museum displaying football memorabilia. Live performances of traditional Saudi dances, a Saudi Café, and a date museum offering Saudi date and coffee pairings will also be highlights.
An unprecedented number of Saudi partners will showcase a wide array of bookable offerings from destinations including Jeddah, AlUla, and the Red Sea.
During the trade show, the Saudi Tourism Authority (STA) will forge new relationships and strengthen existing global partne
Fahd Hamidaddin, CEO and Board Member of the Saudi Tourism Authority said:
“Following on from the success of being named best exhibitor at last year’s event, we’re delighted to be back at ITB with an even bigger and more immersive stand.
“It’s a reflection of the importance of the European market for Saudi as we accelerate progress towards our new increased target of 150 million tourists by 2030. In 2023, Saudi welcome over 950k visitors, marking an increase of 65% compared to 2022 levels. The increase from Germany tourists alone to Saudi was a 61% increase compared to the previous year, showing the developed appetite for Saudi as a destination.”
“Today’s growth is just the start of our story and our success to date is the foundation for tomorrow’s investments, so we look forward to building new partnerships, showcasing the wealth of opportunities in Saudi right now and building knowledge around our diverse and dynamic destination.”
Saudi Arabia’s tourism sector has achieved a remarkable recovery post-pandemic, boasting a 56% surge in international arrivals in 2023 compared to 2019, marking the highest growth rate among the G20 nations. This surge was primarily fueled by a notable 65% increase in international visits, witnessing nearly 11 million more inbound visits compared to 2022, soaring from 16.6 million to 27.4 million in 2023.
With an unwavering commitment to cultivating partnerships with trade allies, Saudi Arabia has invested over $800 billion in its flourishing tourism industry, with $500 billion designated specifically for destination development. This investment paves the way for over $6 trillion in investment opportunities in Saudi Arabia until 2030.
Over the past year, NEOM has unveiled several new destinations, including the arts and entertainment destination Utamo, and most recently, Elanan, an exclusive wellness retreat nestled along the Gulf of Aqaba coastline. Additionally, the Red Sea resorts of Six Senses Southern Dunes and St. Regis resorts have opened ahead of schedule.
In parallel, Diriyah has revealed its master plans to invest $10 billion in renovations, focusing on projects such as King Salman Boulevard and the Royal Diriyah Opera House, underscoring Saudi Arabia’s commitment to developing the world’s most dynamic destination.
Saudi Arabia is renowned for its vibrant Winter Season, hosting over 17,000 events this year, solidifying its status as the world’s most vibrant winter destination. Key events include the F1 Grand Prix in Jeddah, the Red Sea Film Festival, the MDLBEAST Festival, and Riyadh Season, which attracted over 12 million visitors in 2022.
Saturday, April 27, 2024
