The importance of tourism
Tourism has always been a booming industry all over the world, as it boots the revenue of the economy, creates thousand of jobs, develops the infrastructures of a country, and plants a sense of cultural exchange between foreigners and citizens. Tourism is a very important aspect not only for the economy of a country, but also for its global position.
There are many factors as to why tourism is important, and they mainly focus on the economic aspect of it, as it brings wealth, visibility, growth and jobs, including:- Influx of Wealth
The greatest benefit of tourism is the influx of money into a country’s economy. This is particularly important in countries whose economy is new or weaker than others. - Diverse Income
Many countries rely heavily on a few industries and their economy suffers greatly when these industries become strained. Tourism provides a constant flow of income into a country and is often – except in times of crisis – more reliable.- Employment
Jobs are possibly the most obvious benefits of tourism in any country. Tourism also creates many new jobs, as local people start their own businesses in the tourism sector and hire locally. In 2019, the 10 countries with the highest direct contribution of tourism to employment saw more than 87.5 million jobs in the sector.
Tourism in Saudi Arabia
The development of tourism is an important driver of growth
for the future of Saudi Arabia. The country has a long-term vision that focuses
on growing tourism and is making major investments in this project, as tourism
is one of the main pillars at the heart of the Vision 2030 plan, which is a
strategy developed by the government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to improve
the country in many different areas. Tourism has helped diversify the economy
and reduce dependence on oil. The Ministry of Tourism, the Saudi Tourism
Authority and the Tourism Development Fund were established in line with
international best practices and clear terms of reference to support the
growth of this important sector and help it thrive.
Over the last few years, Saudi Arabia has made a lot of efforts to diversify its economy away from oil. Previously, only those with business visas, religious pilgrims and expatriate workers could visit Saudi Arabia. The Kingdom’s 2019 decision to release tourist visas, and this will certainly have a long-term positive impact on its tourism market. The increase in tourism expanded the economy and improved the lives of citizens. Tourism comes with more forms of entertainment that benefit Saudis and attract visitors from other countries.
Tourism Strategy in Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia has outlined its tourism aspirations to align with the 2030 vision:
• Raise the contribution of the tourism sector to the domestic product to more than 10%.
• Provide one million additional job opportunities.
• Attract 100 million annual visits by 2030.
Our ambitious goals in Vision 2030 to make Saudi Arabia a leading tourism destination in the world.
The impact and role of entertainment in tourism
Entertainment and tourism go hand in hand. One of the goals of Vision 2030 is to create more entertainment for Saudi people, as the Entertainment Authority held the Riyadh Season, which is considered the most important entertainment destination in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, was launched on October 20th, and includes 14 areas, namely: Boulevard Riyadh City, Via Riyadh, Combat Field, Al-Athriyah, Riyadh Oasis, The Groves, Riyadh Winter Wonderland, Riyadh Front, Al-Murabba, Riyadh Pulse, Riyadh Safari, Al-Salam Tree, Khalouha and Zaman Village.
The season’s events include more than 7,500 days of activities, about 10 international exhibitions, more than 350 theatrical shows, in addition to an international car exhibition and auction, more than 70 cafes, 200 restaurants, electronic games tournament, and more than 100 interactive experiences.
The Riyadh season had a great impact on tourism, as it achieved exceptional and unprecedented numbers, as the number of visitors exceeded 10 million visitors and one million tourists in the season’s fronts and events.
Key destinations
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is characterized by the diversity of its cities, they differ in the weather, some are desert regions and some are cold regions, and they also differ in their culture and traditions. Each region in the Kingdom has its own unique culture, and these cities include:
- Riyadh
Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, is a wonderful mixture of old and new. A modern city is also home to the first historical roots of the Arabian Peninsula. A pivotal city in Vision 2030 with a clear roadmap for the future, Riyadh is also home to a fascinating centuries-old history. In recent years, Riyadh has blossomed into a vibrant commercial and investment hub, home to glittering tall buildings and a thriving contemporary art scene. Winter is an ideal time to visit Riyadh, with average temperatures in the low twenties, and the Riyadh season, which includes a lot of unique recreational activities, and the city offers travellers a unique experience in one of the most famous cities in the region.
- KAEC
King Abdullah Economic City, located on the coast of the Red Sea just 100 kilometres north of Jeddah, is a modern metropolis and booming tourist destination. International tournaments are held at the Royal Greens Golf & Country Club, one of the most renowned golf clubs in the Middle East, and a motorsports park is being built as part of the new Lagoona leisure area. The expansive waterfront, which, thanks to KAEC’s warm climate can be enjoyed all year round, is another major attraction, offering leisurely coastal walks and a range of beach and water activities.
- AIUIa
- Makkah
- References:
Homepage: The Progress & Achievements of Saudi Arabia. Vision 2030. (n.d.). Retrieved April 8, 2022, from http://www.vision2030.gov.sa/
- Sources and references for images and video:
Visas, Tourism and Entertainment in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (my.gov.sa)
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