Saudi Arabia currently prioritizes its massive ambitious domestic development projects, confirming its strategic focus remains fixed on the Kingdom, not the disputed Red Sea coast of Egypt. Tourism Minister Ahmed Al-Khateeb stressed the Kingdom’s preference, telling the Fortune Global Forum in Riyadh they must prioritize giant domestic projects like Red Sea Global.
This statement confirms Cairo recently drafted development plans seeking Saudi investment for Ras Gamila, a vacant seaside stretch near the popular Sharm El-Sheikh resort area. However, officials have not yet decided on a potential investment in Egypt’s Red Sea coast.
The massive Red Sea Global development includes ambitious plans to inaugurate seventeen new hotels by next May, significantly boosting the region’s luxurious capacity.
FIFA Certifies World Cup Readiness
Furthermore, Al-Khateeb revealed that FIFA, world soccer’s governing body, already confirmed Saudi Arabia possesses sufficient hotel rooms for the expected 2034 World Cup visitors. “They checked the number of rooms, and we qualify,” he explained, “but we are simultaneously adding many more luxury destinations, greatly elevating the overall guest experience.”
Meanwhile, Minister Al-Khateeb firmly reiterated that Saudi Arabia has absolutely no plans to lift the existing ban on the public sale of alcohol for tourists currently visiting the Kingdom. Therefore, the once ultra-conservative kingdom eases other travel restrictions significantly, successfully diversifying its national economy and reducing reliance on volatile oil revenues.
