Tourism alliance WTTC teams up with Saudi Commission for Tourism and Heritage to back Saudi Arabia's ambitious tourism welcome plan
In a significant move towards transforming Saudi Arabia into a global tourism powerhouse, the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has partnered with the Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage. This strategic alliance aims to make Saudi Arabia one of the top five global destinations by 2030.
On World Tourism Day, Gloria Guevara, the President & CEO of WTTC, spoke in Riyadh at the launch of Saudi Arabia's new tourism visa. The new visa allows for e-visa on arrival for 49 countries, expanding the country's accessibility to international visitors.
The partnership between WTTC and the Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage will leverage WTTC's global membership, world-class events, and 30 years of research and strategic policy work to support Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 plan.
According to WTTC's annual Economic Impact Research data, Travel & Tourism directly accounted for 3% of Saudi Arabia's GDP and supported 0.6 million jobs (5% of employment) in 2018. With ambitious targets, Saudi Arabia aims to increase this contribution significantly, with up to 10% of its GDP coming from tourism by 2030.
Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 plan outlines several key strategies and initiatives to achieve these goals. These include massive growth targets, the development of mega projects and new destinations, technological integration, infrastructure expansion, hosting global events, effective governance, diversification, and cultural positioning.
The Kingdom is leveraging its wealth of natural and cultural resources and the hospitality of its people to attract international tourists. Vision 2030 powers large-scale, high-profile developments such as the $500 billion NEOM smart city, The Red Sea Project, and other "Giga Projects" that integrate innovation, luxury, and sustainability. These projects incorporate next-generation technology like AI, AR/VR, and IoT to provide immersive and personalized visitor experiences.
Saudi Arabia is also embarking on a significant infrastructure expansion, with key initiatives including building modern airports like King Salman International Airport (capacity over 120 million travelers), launching the national airline Riyadh Air, and improving transport and mobility for seamless tourist access.
The Kingdom is also leveraging international sporting and cultural events to raise its profile, boost visitor numbers, and create lasting legacies in hospitality and entertainment. Events such as Formula 1, LIV Golf, Dakar Rally, Asian Winter Games 2029, and the 2034 FIFA World Cup are expected to contribute significantly to Saudi Arabia's tourism growth.
Effective governance with integrated planning, public-private partnerships, and investor-friendly regulations support a scalable, inclusive, and sustainable tourism ecosystem, creating jobs and opportunities for local communities and international stakeholders.
Tourism policies emphasize heritage, culture, wellness, and lifestyle markets, reshaping Saudi Arabia's global image and aiding economic diversification. Saudi Arabia, already the largest Travel & Tourism economy in the Middle East, is expected to create jobs, diversify the economy, and spread a new understanding of its rich culture around the world through tourism growth.
WTTC is delighted to support Saudi Arabia in this new chapter, as history is being written in the country. With the new tourism visa in place, the potential for tourism in Saudi Arabia is limitless, and the future looks bright for this ambitious destination.
In light of the new tourism visa, Saudi Arabia's finance sector stands to benefit significantly as the increase in travelers could lead to increased business opportunities and contributions to the country's economy.
With its focus on cultural positioning, wellness, and lifestyle markets, Saudi Arabia's tourism industry is poised to elevate its global lifestyle profile, potentially attracting affluent travelers and influencing consumer choices in these areas.
