Tourism to be 2nd main contributor to Saudi economy after oil by 2030: Minister
The tourism sector will be the second largest contributor to the Saudi Arabian economy after the oil sector by 2030, Minister of Tourism Ahmed al Khateeb said, noting that the ministry aims to raise the sector's contribution to 10% of the GDP by 2030.
During a panel discussion at the Saudi-US Investment Forum in Riyadh, the minister indicated that the number of tourists visiting the Kingdom has increased from 5 million in 2019 to more than 30 million currently, placing it among the 10 most visited countries internationally. The Kingdom eyes attracting 50 million international tourists by 2030, making it one of the five most visited countries in the world by that date.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Asharq Al-Awsat
an hour ago
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Kuwait Calls on International Community to Ensure Syria's Security, Stability
Kuwait reaffirmed on Sunday its commitment to bolstering international efforts to guarantee Syria's security and stability, while preserving its sovereignty and territorial integrity. This came during an official round of talks between Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, the Emir of Kuwait, and Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa. The discussions were also attended by Kuwait's Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, and Minister of the Amiri Diwan Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah. Kuwait marks the Syrian president's seventh stop in the Arab world and ninth internationally since taking office in January 2025, following the ouster of former President Bashar al-Assad on December 8, 2024. According to Minister Mohammad Abdullah Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah, the talks highlighted 'the deep-rooted fraternal ties between the two countries and peoples, and ways to support and enhance them in all fields.' The two sides reviewed the situation in Syria and reaffirmed the importance of bolstering international efforts to ensure the country's security, stability, sovereignty, and territorial integrity. The discussions also covered key regional and international developments, and ways to support unified Arab action. Additionally, Kuwait's First Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sheikh Fahd Yousef Saud Al-Sabah, along with Foreign Minister Abdullah Ali Al-Yahya, held extended talks with Al-Sharaa and Foreign Minister Asaad Al-Shibani to explore mechanisms for enhancing cooperation and coordination between Kuwait and Syria. During his visit, Al-Sharaa also met with several Kuwaiti business leaders to discuss development projects and investment opportunities in Syria. He also held a meeting with members of the Syrian expatriate community in Kuwait. Damascus is seeking to strengthen ties with Arab and Western leaders in the aftermath of Assad's fall, hoping that the lifting of economic sanctions and an influx of Gulf aid and investments will help rebuild the war-torn nation. On Saturday, Saudi Arabia's foreign minister announced that the Kingdom, in coordination with Qatar, would provide financial support for Syrian state employees. A joint statement from Saudi Arabia and Qatar noted that this financial assistance would be distributed over three months. This initiative followed a previous contribution by both countries in April, which helped Syria pay off around $15 million in arrears owed to the World Bank. The Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development has extended 28 loans to Syria, totaling 333 million Kuwaiti dinars (approximately $1.085 billion). Kuwait also hosts a large Syrian community estimated at around 200,000 people.
Asharq Al-Awsat
an hour ago
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Adahi to Asharq Al-Awsat: We Are Employing AI to Achieve Operational Efficiency
General Coordinator of Saudi Arabia's Project for Utilization of Hady and Adahi (Adahi) Saad Abdul Rahman Al-Wabil revealed that the project is aiming to carry out a million sacrifices during this year's Hajj. The figure is a major jump compared to the average in the past ten years, which reached around 900,000 sacrifices per Hajj, he told Asharq Al-Awsat. The new target reflects the ongoing efforts to expand the operational capacity of the project in line with the goals of Vision 2030, he added. He explained that the Adahi project, which is directly overseen by the Royal Commission for Makkah City and Holy Sites, aims to facilitate the Hady, Fidya, Udhiya and Sadaqa rituals on behalf of Muslims through an integrated operational system that follows the Sharia and health standards. The project ensures that the sacrificial meat will reach those who need it inside and outside Saudi Arabia, he stated. The project boasts eight main slaughterhouses spanning a quarter of a million square meters. Seven of them are dedicated to the slaughter of sheep, and one each for the slaughter of camels and cows. Over 30,000 employees work at the slaughterhouses during the Hajj season, including 10,000 butchers and 800 veterinarians, as well as a team of volunteers, said Al-Wabil. 'We are keen on carrying out accurate veterinary tests before and after the slaughter to ensure the highest level of quality in service of the guests of the Two Holy Mosques,' he went on to say. Some 10,000 tons of meat are expected to be distributed in Makkah, and across Saudi Arabia and the Muslim world this year. The process is held in coordination with Saudi embassies in beneficiary countries to ensure that the meat reaches the neediest people, he remarked. This year, the project has adopted artificial intelligence in managing operations, including counting and weighing processes, he told Asharq Al-Awsat. Moreover, smart apps have been introduced, allowing Hajj pilgrims to buy the sacrificial meat online, as well as follow up on every step of the ritual. 'We are following a comprehensive digital plan that boosts transparency and achieves operational efficiency and ensures the comfort of the pilgrims,' he stated. 'This is a qualitative leap in services.'
Asharq Al-Awsat
an hour ago
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Aoun's Visit to Baghdad Eases Strained Ties between Lebanon, Iraq
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun arrived in Baghdad on Sunday on an official visit for talks with top Iraqi officials. Ties between Lebanon and Iraq had been strained over Aoun's recent remarks about Iraq's Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF). The president also did not attend the Arab League summit in Baghdad last month, with Prime Minister Nawaf Salam participating instead. However, the reception accorded to Aoun on Sunday eased all tensions. He was warmly welcomed by Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani at Baghdad International Airport and they later held bilateral talks. At a press conference following their meeting, Aoun quoted Iraq's top Shiite Authority Ali al-Sistani when speaking about the need for authorities to derive lessons from the past and to work on establishing a better future for the people. This work should be based on practical plans for managing the country that are based on competency and integrity, away from foreign meddling and while keeping the possession of weapons limited to the state, he added. Aoun expressed his gratitude to Sudani 'for everything you have constantly offered Lebanon, such as aid in every field.' 'Every Lebanese person now truly believes that during each crisis, they can turn to Iraq that will come to Lebanon's aid in actions, not just in words,' he stressed. For his part, Sudani underlined the Iraqi government and people's 'keenness on supporting Lebanon and strengthening its state institutions.' Iraq supports Lebanon's unity, stability and territorial integrity, he added. A statement from Sudani's office said the leaders discussed bilateral ties and opportunities for cooperation between their countries in various fields. They also tackled regional developments. Aoun expressed his gratitude for Iraq's support to Lebanon, saying he was keen on expanding cooperation to meet the interests of the people in both countries. Aoun also held talks with Iraqi President Abdul Latif Rashid. Aoun is expected to discuss with officials the possibility of Iraq continuing to provide Lebanon with fuel to operate power plants. They will also address security affairs and other issues. In April, Aoun had declared that Lebanon will not replicate the PMF experience in Iraq in Lebanon as part of efforts to merge Hezbollah with the Lebanese army. Hezbollah will also not act as an independent unit inside the army. His remarks had angered Baghdad, which stressed that the PMF is a military institution and part of Iraq's armed forces. Iraq summoned Lebanon's ambassador in Baghdad at the time to protest the statements.
