Saudi Arabia Aims to Host 70 Million International Tourists by 2030
NEW YORK — In a bold statement, Saudi Minister of Tourism Ahmed Bin Aqeel Al-Khateeb announced that Saudi Arabia has successfully welcomed over 27 million international tourists in 2023, with plans to host more than 70 million by 2030.
Speaking at the UN General Assembly Sustainability Week in New York City, Al-Khateeb, who also chairs the Executive Council of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), emphasized the Kingdom’s commitment to developing strategies to boost tourism.
Joined by UNGA President Dennis Francis and UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili, Al-Khateeb outlined Saudi Arabia’s efforts to enhance the representation of the travel and tourism sector on the global stage.
Under the leadership of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman and Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed Bin Salman, Saudi Arabia has emerged as a top global tourist destination, leading in international tourist growth and attracting visitors from around the world.
The Kingdom’s dedication to sustainable tourism projects, such as the NEOM and Red Sea developments, reflects its commitment to climate neutrality and community empowerment.
Al-Khateeb also highlighted Saudi Arabia’s collaboration with international organizations like the UNFCCC to address the environmental impacts of travel and tourism, aiming to reduce carbon emissions and protect natural resources.
By setting ambitious goals to reduce carbon emissions, preserve land and marine areas, and plant millions of trees, Saudi Arabia is paving the way for sustainable development in the tourism sector.
With a focus on global cooperation, Al-Khateeb expressed the Kingdom’s vision for a more environmentally friendly and community-driven tourism industry, hoping to inspire positive change on a global scale. — SPA
