Skift Take
Saudi Arabia is sparing no expense in improving its tourism infrastructure, and here are several reasons why Saudi officials are making those huge investments.
Saudi Arabia has taken steps in recent years to beef up its tourism industry as part of its Vision 2030 plan, including launching a seasonal campaign named Rethink Summer. The kingdom is also currently home to the largest hotel construction activity in the Middle East.
But the country has long struggled to attract international tourists due to issues that include strict curbs on drinking and severe restrictions for women, as well as allegations of human rights abuses against journalists.
So why is Saudi Arabia making this enormous investment in its tourism industry?
Ask Skift, our artificial intelligence chatbot, listed four reasons why the kingdom is planning to invest more than $1 trillion in the sector over the next decade. Here are those responses plus additional information.
Economic DiversificationAsk Skift Said:
Saudi Arabia plans to triple the contribution of its tourism industry to the economy by 2030. This goal includes attracting 100 million tourists by 2030, an achievement comparable to France’s tourism numbers. This move is part of a broader strategy to diversify the Saudi economy away from its heavy reliance on oil revenue.
What else you need to know:
Despite Saudi Arabia's grand tourism ambitions, luring travelers away from destinations such as Dubai and Egypt is a tall order. The focus may be on convincing Saudis who usually vacation