#Saudi Arabia #Tourism #World Economic Forum #Davos #Ahmed Al-Khateeb

Saudi Arabia's Vision for Tourism as an Economic Driver

In an insightful presentation delivered at the annual 2026 World Economic Forum held in Davos, Ahmed Al-Khateeb, the Minister of Tourism for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, articulated a transformative vision for the tourism sector. He asserted that tourism should no longer be viewed as a mere discretionary sector, but rather as a vital economic infrastructure pivotal for fostering growth, resilience, and enhancing human connectivity in an increasingly fragmented world.

During his speeches at the Forum, Al-Khateeb emphasized that the growth of the tourism sector is inevitable, projecting an impressive 2 billion international arrivals by 2030. However, he raised a critical question for global leaders: "Will this growth be responsible?" By framing tourism as a strategic and systemic entity capable of diversifying economies, attracting long-term investments, and creating inclusive jobs, he urged participants to rethink their approach toward tourism planning and management.

He highlighted Saudi Arabia's ambitious Vision 2030, which positions tourism as a cornerstone of the country's economic transformation. In 2025, Saudi Arabia welcomed 30 million visitors, setting a bold target of 150 million by 2030. As the world's largest individual investor in tourism, Saudi Arabia manages an extensive portfolio that includes destinations, airlines, digital platforms, and human capital development. Currently, tourism contributes nearly 5% to the Kingdom's GDP and provides employment for over 1 million individuals.

Notable projects like Al-Ula, Diriyah, and the Red Sea have been created in alignment with the principles of safety, sustainability, governance, and quality of life, serving as examples of the benefits derived from intentional and strategic tourism destination development. Such an approach not only encourages long-term investments but also strengthens investor confidence while aligning tourism growth with community benefits and cultural preservation.

Furthermore, at the Forum, Al-Khateeb unveiled the "Beyond Tourism" initiative, a multi-sectoral collaboration with the World Economic Forum, aimed at elevating the discourse around tourism from a mere sectoral discussion to a systemic leadership agenda. This initiative aspires to synchronize policies, capital, and innovation towards sustainable practices, inclusivity, resilience, and increased investments.

Despite tourism's potential to drive economic productivity and connectivity, Al-Khateeb pointed out that it remains undervalued in economic decision-making. Representing a colossal $10 trillion global economy, tourism is frequently omitted from crucial discussions surrounding infrastructure, trade, and industrial policies. "To maximize tourism's impact, we must advocate for supportive, coherent policies backed by data-driven frameworks," he asserted.

Highlighting an innovative approach named TOURISE, Al-Khateeb explained the platform's role in facilitating the transition from ambitious visions to actionable plans. By convening governments, investors, and industry leaders, TOURISE aims to expedite collaboration and execution in the tourism sector. Since its inception, the platform has brought together nearly 10,000 leaders across 100 countries, helping catalyze over $113 billion in tourism-related investments, with the next global meeting scheduled for March 2027.

Globally, travel and tourism account for approximately 10% of the world's GDP and create over 357 million jobs, marking it as one of the most inclusive sectors in the economy. Beyond financial implications, Al-Khateeb noted tourism's critical role in facilitating personal exchanges during tense geopolitical climates, promoting understanding, trust, and connectivity among cultures.

In his address, he emphasized Saudi Arabia's commitment to utilizing tourism as a means of supporting other nations, particularly highlighting that a staggering 80% of countries do not receive sufficient tourism, with a pronounced deficit in regions like Africa and Latin America. He expressed a desire to foster partnerships with these areas to aid in developing their tourism sectors and economies for mutual benefit.

Al-Khateeb concluded by stating that tourism can be a stabilizing force and a multiplier of peace if led responsibly. Throughout the week at Davos, the Saudi Arabian delegation engaged in open and constructive dialogues with government, business, civil society, and academia leaders to promote global stability and prosperity. Embodying Saudi Arabia's role as a responsible member of the international community, the delegation demonstrated how the Saudi Vision 2030 represents a transformative and growth-oriented model for nations worldwide.

Moreover, the Saudi House returned to Davos, having been established by the Ministry of Economy and Planning in 2025. During the week, they hosted over 20 sessions focusing on key themes including Bold Vision, Impact Perspectives, Human Capacity, Quality of Life, Investment and Collaboration, and Welcoming the World, in addition to launching "NextOn," an influential educational talk series featuring renowned opinion leaders.