Saudi Arabia expects 100 mln tourists in 2023: Al Khateeb

Minister of Tourism Ahmed Al Khateeb

Saudi Minister of Tourism Ahmed Al Khateeb expects around 100 million visitors to the Kingdom by year-end.

He stated that Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman set a goal of 150 million annual visits by 2030 for the sector.

During a panel at the Future Investment Initiative (FII) Summit in Riyadh, Al Khateeb projected tourism's contribution to the Saudi GDP to reach around 6% by year-end.

He emphasized Vision 2030's goal to increase the sector's contribution to 10% from 3% by attracting 100 million local and international visitors.

The Kingdom targets 75 million foreign and domestic visitors, with 75 million local visits already realized and an expectation of 30 million overseas visits this year, making up approximately 40% of the Vision 2030 target, he added. 

"We've announced the creation of Riyadh College of Hospitality and Tourism, set to become the world's largest in training and supplying workers for the tourism sector," the minister added.