التكنولوجيا وأخبارها بوابة مصر لأخبار تكنولوجيا المعلومات والإتصالات وفي أفريقيا كما تعتبر مصدر رئيسي للمعلومات حول تكنولوجيا المعلومات والاتصالات والفرص الاستثمارية المرتبطة بالاقتصاد الرقمي في المنطقة بالكامل
Saudi Arabia is rapidly redefining its global economic standing through tourism, according to H.E. Ahmed Al-Khateeb, Minister of Tourism of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, during an in-depth discussion hosted by Forbes Middle East at the Forbes Middle East HUB on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2026 in Davos, Switzerland.
Tourism at the Heart of Saudi Arabia’s Economic Transformation
Speaking at Davos, Al-Khateeb emphasized that tourism has become a strategic engine for economic growth and diversification under Saudi Vision 2030. The sector currently contributes around 5% of the Kingdom’s GDP and represents nearly 5% of total employment, a significant increase from approximately 3% before the launch of Vision 2030.
He highlighted that tourism plays a critical role in strengthening economic resilience, particularly amid global economic volatility, positioning the Kingdom as an increasingly influential player in shaping the international tourism agenda.
Job Creation and Global Impact
Al-Khateeb noted that the Saudi tourism sector has generated 250,000 new jobs over the past five years alone, underscoring its role as a major employment driver. Today, tourism supports nearly one million jobs across Saudi Arabia.
On a global scale, he pointed out that tourism contributes approximately 10% of global GDP and sustains around 357 million jobs worldwide, reinforcing the sector’s importance as a pillar of international economic growth.
$400 Billion in Investments Redefining Global Tourism
The Minister stated that Saudi Arabia is currently the world’s largest single investor in tourism, with investments exceeding $400 billion. These funds are directed toward developing new tourism destinations, expanding aviation and airport infrastructure, and enhancing hospitality capacity across the Kingdom.
Hotel capacity is set to grow from around 550,000 rooms today to between 600,000 and 650,000 rooms in the coming years, as part of preparations to host major international events such as Expo 2030 and the 2034 FIFA World Cup.
Technology, Talent, and the Future of Tourism
During the interview, conducted by Mark Evans, Al-Khateeb stressed the importance of integrating all components of the tourism ecosystem while prioritizing national talent development. He described technology and artificial intelligence as critical enablers that enhance efficiency and innovation, rather than replacements for human capital.
This balanced approach, he said, is essential to building a sustainable and globally competitive tourism sector.
Forbes Middle East HUB: A Platform for Global Dialogue
The conversation formed part of the Forbes Middle East HUB at Davos, which hosts exclusive interviews and high-level discussions with ministers, policymakers, CEOs, and global decision-makers across key economic sectors.
The Forbes Middle East Platform at Davos serves as a strategic initiative aimed at advancing global dialogue on sustainability, digital transformation, economic resilience, and cross-border partnerships. It also addresses pressing issues such as AI governance, the smart economy, future energy systems, cybersecurity, and innovation in healthcare.
Through this platform, Forbes Middle East continues to highlight global ideas, investments, and the growing role of regional economies—particularly Saudi Arabia—in driving international economic transformation.
سجل في قائمتنا البريدية لتصلك آخر الأخبار
