The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) announced a partnership with the Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage to support an ambitious plan to welcome tourists to Saudi Arabia.

The plan aims to make the country a top five inbound destination, with 100 million international and domestic visits, by 2030.

The strategic partnership will harness the power and expertise of WTTC’s global membership, world class events and 30 years’ experience in research and strategic policy work to support Saudi Arabia’s ambitious goals and Vision 2030 plan.

Speaking in Riyadh at the launch of Saudi’s new tourism visa on World Tourism Day, Gloria Guevara, President & CEO of WTTC said “I congratulate Saudi Arabia on its decision to open the country to tourists from across the world and look forward to working together to make Saudi Arabia a must visit destination the world over. Today history is being written! The government has recognised the enormous opportunities tourism can bring to the country and I am delighted to see the changes that the destination is making to drive tourism, such as e-visa on arrival for 49 countries, investment in mega projects and infrastructure development.”

According to WTTC’s annual Economic Impact Research data, in 2018 Travel & Tourism directly accounted for 3% of Saudi Arabia’s GDP and supported 0.6 million jobs (5% of employment). Saudi Arabia, with a thriving religious tourism sector, is already the largest Travel & Tourism economy in the Middle East.

Guevara continued, “The potential for tourism in Saudi Arabia is limitless. It has a wealth of natural and cultural resources and especially the amazing hospitality of the Saudi people, as yet undiscovered by international, and even many national, travellers. Travel & Tourism growth will not only create jobs and a diverse economy but will also spread a new understanding of Saudi Arabia’s rich culture around the world. We have seen how Travel & Tourism can transform nations and WTTC is delighted to support this new chapter as history is written in Saudi Arabia.”

www.wttc.org