By Dianne Apen-Sadler
Published on
•Updated
Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Tourism has emphasised the importance of the travel industry in creating bridges between nations in an exclusive interview with Euronews.
Speaking on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos, which is taking place under the theme ‘A Spirit of Dialogue’, His Excellency Ahmed Al Khateeb said that “tourism is a symbol of connecting nations”.
“Tourism is a main driver of dialogue. It creates bridges between nations,” His Excellency said.
“Therefore, during Davos, we are meeting with different officials and the private sector to continue the dialogue and make sure that tourism will continue to prosper and grow at a global level.”
Tourism is a key pillar of Saudi Vision 2030, and the industry is expected to contribute more than 10 per cent to the country’s GDP by the end of the decade.
“It will help to diversify our economy, it will help create jobs. Forty-five per cent of the jobs in travel and tourism at a global level are served by women,” His Excellency added.
“In Saudi Arabia, 47 per cent of those working in the travel and tourist sector are young women, and therefore tourism is very important.
“It is very important for the country, it gives others the chance to come and experience the beauty of the Red Sea, the beauty of AlUla and the capital Riyadh and Jeddah and so on and so forth.”
His Excellency spoke on Wednesday on the Experiencing the World panel, a session aimed at discussing how tourism can rebuild cultural understanding and trust at a time of deepening polarisation.
“I encourage investors to come and join this sector. Saudi Arabia is the fastest growing economy among all the G20 in the travel and tourism sector, based on the United Nations Tourism Agency,” he added.
“There are a lot of opportunities in the whole ecosystem. Many investors have already come and signed for the opportunities, but we definitely need more investors to come and join this journey.”