Saudi Arabia plans to increase the number of international visitors in 2022, according to Tourism Minister and NEOM board member Ahmed Al-Khateeb, by easing restrictions connected to the Covid-19 pandemic and the return of foreign pilgrims.
Al-Khateeb said that the Kingdom wants to get an additional share of the international market, explaining: “Now we are pushing to attract more foreign visitors,” noting that this year’s objective is to record 12 million visits, compared to four million in 2021.
This year’s objective is to record 12 million visits
The Crown Prince’s mega projects are part of the Kingdom’s effort to attract foreign tourists. The future city of NEOM, with an expected investment of SR500 billion, The Red Sea Project and the development of Diriya are at the top of this list.
The restaurant area in Diriya is set to open next September, according to Al-Khateeb, while the remaining sectors will begin operations in 2025. “This is a new level of tourism that does not exist now, and Saudi Arabia will change the tourism landscape globally. The destinations that Saudi Arabia will offer by 2030 will be something completely different,” he added.
Saudi Arabia jumped from 43rd place in 2019 to 33rd place in 2021 in the worldwide tourism rankings
Saudi Arabia jumped from 43rd place in 2019 to 33rd place in 2021 in the worldwide tourism rankings, thanks to gains in practically every metric. The study was the first after the Kingdom reopened its historical sites and other tourist attractions to international visitors.
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