Saudi Arabia’s Sustainable Tourism Vision Shared at WEF
Saudi Arabia’s tourism industry is undergoing a significant transformation, prioritizing sustainability to ensure growth without harming natural environments and local communities. The country’s tourism minister emphasized this commitment during a briefing at the World Economic Forum in Davos.
Saudi Arabia collaborates with key global organizations, including the WEF and UN Tourism, to integrate sustainable practices. A new WEF briefing paper and an investor whitepaper highlight the nation’s rapid growth as a tourism destination.
The minister outlined a comprehensive approach to sustainability, focusing on environmental, economic, and social aspects. He stressed that protecting the environment is essential for attracting travelers interested in exploring cultures and nature.
Recent studies show tourism contributes to 8% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Without effective measures, this could rise significantly as the industry expands. Saudi Arabia is addressing these challenges by launching campaigns to reduce waste and promoting sustainable tourism globally.
Economically, the focus is on supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which form 80% of the global tourism sector. These businesses are crucial for job creation, particularly for women, who now hold 25% of tourism jobs in the Kingdom.
Saudi Arabia is committed to nurturing future tourism leaders by training 100,000 Saudis annually and has funded over 1,500 small businesses through its Tourism Development Fund.
With the global tourism industry’s value projected to reach $11 trillion by 2030, collaboration between government and private sectors is vital. The minister highlighted the importance of private sector involvement, encouraging their participation in initiatives like the G20 meetings.
Sports tourism, especially football, is expected to draw significant visitors, with Saudi Arabia set to host the FIFA World Cup in 2034. The minister noted that sports tourism is resilient to economic downturns and will continue to be a major investment focus.