The Government of Saudi Arabia has announced a plan to diversify its economy in order to overcome reliance on crude oil exports by 2030. The “Saudi Vision 2030” plan will see the country’s Public Investment Fund increase from US$160 billion to US$2 trillion, of which tourism investment will increase by US$8 billion to almost US$46 billion in 2020.
The World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC)has urged the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to adjust its visa policies for both business and leisure tourists alike.
David Scowsill, president & CEO, WTTC related it was important to emphasize the private and public sector cooperation as Prince Sultan bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, Chairman and President of Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage (SCTH), highlighted when he spoke at the WTTC Global Summit last month in Dallas.
he country’s tourism strategy involves: expanding Saudi Arabia as a tourist hub; increasing investment in coastal areas; creating new attractions through museums and historical sites; and the adoption of a post-Umrah program.
This will allow Umrah pilgrims to convert their visas into tourist visas, in order to discover more of the Kingdom’s choice of destinations.
In 2015, travel and tourism generated US$50.2 billion