Saudi Arabia aims to make tourism a significant contributor to its economy by 2030, rivaling oil, according to Tourism Minister Ahmed Al-Khateeb, who spoke at the Saudi-US Investment Forum.
The minister said the tourism sector has grown significantly since 2016, with visitors rising from 50 million to 115 million in 2024, surpassing the target of 100 million tourists.
Saudi Arabia was one of the 10 most-visited countries globally in 2024, receiving 30 million international visitors, and aims to welcome 50 million international tourists by 2030, Al-Khateeb added.
The country has opened its doors to nearly 65 countries with electronic visas, and the tourism sector's GDP contribution is expected to increase from 5% to 10% by 2030, he said.
The ministry plans to adopt best practices from the US, sending young Saudis for education and vocational training, to create a diverse tourism sector catering to different travelers and purposes.