Saudi Arabia plans to ignite its tourism sector by investing more than $800 billion over the next ten years.

Speaking at the 10th edition of the Arab-China Conference, Saudi’s Tourism Minister, H.E. Ahmed Al-Khateeb, revealed the kingdom’s plan to invest in the sector to invigorate the sector.

Al-Khateeb noted that travel and tourism accounts for 4.5% of Saudi’s GDP, which is an increase from 3.8% in 2019, and added that Saudi is working to achieve the 2030 goal to take the travel and tourism sector contribution compared to the GDP up to 10%.

The ministry has developed comprehensive plans for the sector, which accounts for 3% of the labor market.

According to data from the World Tourism Organization, Saudi Arabia is the world’s second-fastest-growing destination. Data showed that its international tourism exceeded pre-pandemic levels in the first three months of 2023 by 64%, with about 7.8 million tourists.

It also showed that the number of international tourists who visited the kingdom for all travel purposes was 16.6 million in 2022.

Ease of travel visa procedures, planning promotional campaigns globally, and the diversity of destinations within Saudi are factors in making the country an attractive travel destination for tourists, said Al-Khateeb in a statement carried out by the Saudi Press Agency.