Saudi tourism sector to hit $64bn by 2019

Monday, 8 February 2010 9:02 AM

GROWING INDUSTRY: The Hajj pilgrimage draws millions of religious tourists to Saudi every year.

Saudi Arabia’s tourism revenues could reach $64bn by 2019, according to a high-ranking official.

The Kingdom’s tourism market is currently generating around $14bn in annual revenues, according to Mohammed Al-Hussaini, deputy general manager at the Riyadh Exhibition Company.

However, at the opening of the five-day Saudi Travel and Tourism Investment Market, he told the Saudi Gazette that the country’s inbound tourism has increased 11 percent over the past two years.

“As the largest economy in the Middle East, Saudi Arabia has the necessary resources to expand travel and tourism as major income generators,” he told the newspaper.

“Several tourism development opportunities are available in cities such as Al-Wajh, Assir, Al-Qassim, and in Hail,” he added. “One of the government’s priorities is to increase the regional and global visibility of the Kingdom’s tourism and hospitality offerings.”

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Posted by: Leigh Vernier Tuesday, 9 February 2010 10:50 AM[UAE] - Saudi Arabia

There are key factors holding back Saudi tourism growth. There are no packaged, costed, defined tourism products to 'sell'... and there is no marketing and sales infrastructure. In terms of infrastructure, many travel agents in the Kingdom are utterly inadequate. No product knowledge. Poor service. Travel agencies need regulating with a formal education/training systems using adapted but existing software. There are no tour operators to offer defined, 'packaged'products at attractive inclusive prices. Again, tour operators are not being trained or regulated. These two deficiencies add up to there being no tourism 'supermarkets'the Saudi travellor can visit - no products on the shelves. To get what I mean - take a look at the Emirates tour operator brochure. It offers packages all over the world. Although their tour operator retail outlet is lacking in in-depth knowledge and some training it is better than nothing. As a travel expert who has been in Saudi for 16 years it saddens me that little is being done to create the essential tourism infrastructure.

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Saudi tourism sector to hit $64bn by 2019

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