Saudi Tourism Minister Chairs UNWTO’s 119th Session
The 119th session of the Executive Council of the UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) was recently presided over by Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Tourism, Ahmed Al-Khateeb. This significant event took place during the UNWTO General Assembly in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. The assembly, attended by ministers and high-level delegates from over 150 countries, aimed to promote sustainable tourism and enhance cooperation within the sector.
During the UNWTO General Assembly, Al-Khateeb engaged in fruitful discussions with prominent figures from the tourism industry. These discussions focused on exploring ways to enhance cooperation, promote sustainable tourism practices, and implement best practices in the sector.
Strengthening Ties with Morocco
One of the key meetings held on the sidelines of the assembly was between Al-Khateeb and Morocco’s Minister of Tourism, Handicrafts, and Social and Solidarity Economy, Fatim-Zahra Ammor. The ministers discussed avenues to strengthen bilateral ties and foster collaboration in the tourism sector between their respective countries.
Exploring Opportunities with Uzbekistan
Al-Khateeb also met with Uzbekistan’s Minister of Ecology, Environmental Protection, and Climate Change, Aziz Abduhakimov. The discussions centered around exploring opportunities for joint initiatives and sustainable tourism practices between Saudi Arabia and Uzbekistan. This meeting aimed to forge stronger ties between the two nations and promote the exchange of knowledge and expertise in the field of tourism.
Collaboration with Argentina
Argentina’s Secretary of Tourism Promotion and Deputy Minister of Tourism and Sports, Yanina Alejandra Martinez, also engaged in talks with Minister Al-Khateeb. The focus of their discussions was to explore avenues for collaboration in promoting sustainable tourism and sharing best practices between Saudi Arabia and Argentina.
Expanding Electronic Tourist Visa Program
In line with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 goals of diversifying the economy and boosting the tourism sector, the Ministry of Tourism recently announced the expansion of its electronic tourist visa program. The program now includes six new countries, bringing the total number of eligible nations to 63.
The newly added countries to the electronic visa scheme are Turkey, Thailand, Panama, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Seychelles, and Mauritius. Holders of these visas can visit Saudi Arabia for various purposes such as tourism, Umrah outside of the Hajj season, visiting family, and attending events.
The extension of the electronic tourist visa program reflects Saudi Arabia’s commitment to welcoming visitors from around the world and showcasing its rich cultural heritage, attractions, and events.
Vision 2030: Transforming the Tourism Landscape
Saudi Arabia has been actively working towards achieving its ambitious goal of attracting 100 million visitors by 2030. The tourism sector is expected to contribute 10 percent to the country’s GDP by that time.
In 2022, Saudi Arabia welcomed 94 million visitors, marking a significant increase of 93 percent compared to the previous year. The total tourism spend reached an impressive $49 billion, highlighting the growing potential of the sector.
With the introduction of the e-visa in 2019, Saudi Arabia opened its doors to international tourists, offering them the opportunity to explore the country’s attractions, cultural experiences, and events. The expansion of the electronic visa program to include additional countries is another step towards achieving the goals outlined in Vision 2030.
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