Tuesday, February 27, 2024
The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has lauded Saudi Arabia for its groundbreaking achievement in the tourism sector, surpassing the ambitious target of attracting 100 million tourists, a goal reached seven years ahead of its initial 2030 deadline.
This remarkable feat, which saw over 27 million international and 79 million domestic tourists visiting the Kingdom, stands as a testament to Saudi Arabia’s dynamic approach and its dedication to revolutionizing global travel and tourism.
Saudi Arabia’s ability to exceed its tourism goals ahead of time is attributed to its visionary strategy launched in 2019, aimed at fostering a thriving tourism ecosystem. Achieving this milestone in 2023, rather than the projected 2030, highlights the Kingdom’s potential to outdo its ambitious forecasts, with a staggering 390% increase in tourism activity license applications in 2023 alone. This surge signifies the sector’s exponential growth and the success of the country’s strategic measures.
The economic impact of this achievement is profound, with the Travel & Tourism sector’s contribution to Saudi Arabia’s non-oil Gross Value Added (GVA) surpassing 7% and generating over U.S.$37 billion in inbound tourism spending. This underscores the pivotal role tourism plays in the Kingdom’s economic diversification efforts and its commitment to sustainable tourism development.
Saudi Arabia’s advancements were showcased at the WTTC’s annual Global Summit, held in the Kingdom, reinforcing its role as a global dialogue facilitator in the Travel & Tourism sector. The country’s strategic reforms, including the restructuring of tourism license fees and significant reductions in annual government fees, have laid the groundwork for a robust tourism infrastructure, making Saudi Arabia a leading global tourism destination.
These efforts are in line with Saudi Arabia’s broader economic goals, including making tourism a primary employment sector by 2030, thereby promoting economic inclusivity and competitiveness. As Saudi Arabia continues to develop its tourism infrastructure and enact strategic reforms, the global Travel & Tourism community eagerly anticipates its evolution into a worldwide tourism powerhouse.
The WTTC’s commitment to supporting Saudi Arabia’s objectives underscores the importance of fostering sustainable development and contributing to the sector’s global recovery and prosperity, highlighting the Kingdom’s innovative leadership in transforming the travel and tourism landscape.
Saturday, April 27, 2024
Saturday, April 27, 2024
