Saudi Arabia to open 12,000 hotel rooms until 2022-end: Al Khateeb

Minister of Tourism, Ahmed Al Khateeb

Saudi Arabia will open 12,000 hotel rooms this year — the highest rate in the world, Minister of Tourism, Ahmed Al Khateeb, told Al-Arabiya TV on the sidelines of the Future Investment Initiative (FII) Conference.

This implies growth of 6% in the current number of rooms to absorb the resumption of various tourist programs, seasons and visas in the Kingdom.

The addition of a new national carrier in Saudi Arabia is “very important,” Al Khateeb explained, noting that it will enhance the Kingdom’s linkage to the world’s top tourist and trade cities. It will also raise arrival rates at Saudi cities and drive tourists to visit different destinations in the Kingdom.

Saudi Arabia targets all segments of tourists and offer various tourist options, such as the Red Sea projects which draw luxury tourism.

On the other hand, the middle segment is usually attracted by various programs in Riyadh, Jeddah and the Eastern Province.

Al Khateeb concluded that giga projects such as NEOM, The Red Sea and Diriyah will begin actual operations and announce their products starting next year, which will enhance the Kingdom’s competitive position.