RIYADH: Saudi Arabia recognizes the importance of connectivity in fostering the growth of its tourism sector, stated Saudi Minister of Tourism Ahmed Al-Khateeb during the opening of a UN-sanctioned event in Riyadh marking World Tourism Day 2023.
Al-Khateeb emphasized the need for investment, with the government facilitating international opportunities and supporting the private sector in developing facilities for tourists.
“Connectivity is crucial to us as a growing sector,” Al-Khateeb said, adding: “If countries can unite and truly come together at the regional and even global level, the opportunities available to this sector can multiply.”
The minister also stressed that while automation threatens jobs in other industries, tourism will continue to be a significant “engine” of employment growth for many years.
“Despite all the advantages of technology, I see the human element still being absolutely central in our industry in the future,” said the minister.
Additionally, Zurab Pololikashvili, the secretary-general of the UN World Tourism Organization, emphasized that Saudi Arabia’s rapid development of its tourism sector has generated many new bucket lists internationally.
“In less than five years, the Kingdom has gone from an unknown to a must-see destination, and I am confident countries everywhere are inspired by this example and will follow it themselves,” Pololikashvili said.
Pololikashvili added: “Our latest tourist investment report with the Financial Times showed that Saudi Arabia is now the second-biggest place for foreign direct investment projects in all the Middle East and Africa.”
He concluded that Saudi Arabia would continue to expand as a global destination leader with a highly skilled workforce and impressive physical and digital infrastructure.
This year’s World Tourism Day theme, “Tourism and Green Investments,” aims to encourage international collaboration.
The two-day event features keynote remarks and panel discussions focusing on UNWTO’s core themes: people, planet, and prosperity, highlighting tourism’s role in culture integration, environmental protection, and global connectivity.
Saudi Arabia will hand over the conference chair to Georgia, which will host the event next year.
