Saudi Minister of Tourism and Chairman of the Executive Council of the United Nations Tourism Organization, Ahmed bin Aqeel Al-Khateeb, has led the Kingdom’s delegation participating in G20 Tourism Ministerial Meeting, reported the Saudi Press Agency (SPA).
Held in Belem, Brazil, the meeting highlighted the participation of G20 countries and 32 representatives of other countries and international organizations.
Themed “Building a Fair World and a Sustainable Planet,” this high-level event aimed at finalizing the G20 Tourism Working Group Report, which addresses the actions taken by member states to promote the sustainable growth of global tourism.
The Minister underscored the Kingdom’s commitment to transforming its rapidly growing tourism sector into a sustainable sector.
Al-Khateeb noted that Saudi Arabia’s participation in the meeting plays a pivotal role in strengthening cultural ties between countries, boosting tourism connectivity and promoting sustainability.
“Our achievements in enhancing tourism connectivity go beyond economic benefits; they open new avenues for people from all over the world to explore the Kingdom’s rich and ancient culture and allow our people to learn about the wonders of other countries and cultures,” Al-Khateeb added.
Continuous Successes
The Kingdom’s participation in the G20 Tourism Ministerial Meeting comes in light of the continuous successes of the thriving Saudi tourism sector.
Saudi Arabia achieved the highest growth in international tourism among G20 countries in the first seven months of 2024.
According to recent data from the United Nations Tourism Organization, the Kingdom secured a noticeable increase of 73% in international tourist arrivals.
The September 2024 World Tourism Barometer also indicates that tourism revenues witnessed an impressive 207% surge compared to the same period in 2019.
The Kingdom welcomed approximately 17.5 million international tourists during the first 7 months of 2024.
The International Monetary Fund described 2023 as a milestone in Saudi Arabia’s thriving tourism sector as the total number of annual visitors exceeded the Vision 2030 target of 100 million.
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