United Kingdom
United States
Asia Pacific
Saudis to welcome more tourists
DUBAI – Saudi Arabia signaled at the recent Arabian Hotel Investment Conference that it will open the door to allow better access to the country by international tourists and business visitors.
It is easing visa regulations for non-religious tourists. The government is also funding three training colleges for tour guides, airport officials and travel agents to better handle foreign tourists.
It is also introducing a hotel classification system and is studying the introduction of heritage inns and traditional palaces similar to the paradore system in Spain.
Prince Sultan bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, secretary-general of the Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities, said there would be a “reawakening of culture” in Saudi Arabia.
“We see tourism as a major creator of jobs. Our market is really the local market, the five million Saudis who each summer spend US$15 billion dollars on their holidays. We want to keep some of that money at home.”
Prince Sultan said Saudi Arabia welcomed international investors into the hospitality sector. “There will be a lot of investment opportunities in tourism and we’ll be releasing details shortly.
“What we don’t want is tourism at any price. When I travel in Europe I see wonderful places that have been destroyed, communities that have been destroyed, in the name of tourism. We don’t want to pay that price.”
Related News Stories:
Ian Jarrett
Kittipong Prapattong’s Plan for Thailand’s Tourism Growth: Taxes, Visas, and Campaigns
James Jin: Didatravel’s Journey from China to Global Reach and the Impact of AI on Travel
Darien Schaefer on Pensacola’s Evolution: From Small Town to Global Destination
Florida Tourism’s Next Frontier: Dana Young on Expanding Beyond the Classics
Patrick Harrison on Tampa Bay Tourism’s Resilience and Marketing Strategy
Bubba O’Keefe on Clarksdale’s Vibrant Music Scene
Commemorating Elvis and Embracing Tupelo’s Culture with Jennie Bradford Curlee
Craig Ray and the Expansion of the Blues Trail
Presenting Mississippi’s Cultural Trails with Katie Coats
Robert Terrell: A Journey Through BB King’s Influence
Rochelle Hicks: Celebrating Mississippi’s Musical Legacy
Exploring Jacksonville with Katie Mitura: The Flip Side of Florida
Dozens fall ill in P&O Cruises ship outbreak
Turkish Airlines flight in emergency landing after pilot dies
Boy falls to death on cruise ship
Unexpected wave rocks cruise ship
Storm Lilian travel chaos as bank holiday flights cancelled