BREAKING: At the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2026 in Davos, Switzerland, Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Tourism, Ahmed Al-Khateeb, has just announced a transformative vision for the global tourism sector, asserting that tourism must be treated as essential economic infrastructure to drive growth and resilience.
In his urgent address, Al-Khateeb emphasized that tourism should no longer be viewed as a luxury but as a strategic system crucial for global economic diversification and job creation. “With an estimated 2 billion international arrivals by 2030, the question is not whether tourism will grow, but how responsibly it will scale,” he stated.
Saudi Arabia is setting ambitious targets, aiming for 150 million inbound visitors by 2030, up from 30 million in 2025. This growth is part of the Kingdom’s broader Vision 2030 initiative, which positions tourism as a cornerstone of economic transformation. Currently, tourism contributes nearly 5% to Saudi Arabia’s GDP and directly employs over 1 million people.
Al-Khateeb highlighted several key projects, including AlUla, Diriyah, and the Red Sea, showcasing a master-planned approach to tourism development that prioritizes safety, sustainability, and community benefits. He revealed the Kingdom is the world’s largest investor in tourism, with a robust pipeline of projects spanning destinations, aviation, and digital platforms.
In a notable initiative, ‘Beyond Tourism’ was introduced, aiming to elevate tourism from industry discussions to a comprehensive leadership agenda. This initiative seeks to align policy, capital, and innovation across sustainability and resilience, urging global leaders to recognize tourism’s vital role in economic policy-making. “Tourism represents a USD 10 trillion global economy, yet it remains undervalued in decision-making,” Al-Khateeb remarked.
He also announced the global platform TOURISE, designed to facilitate collaboration among governments, investors, and industry leaders to accelerate tourism investments. Since its launch, TOURISE has mobilized nearly 10,000 leaders from over 100 countries and catalyzed more than USD 113 billion in tourism-related investments. The next major gathering will take place in March 2027.
Beyond economic figures, Al-Khateeb underscored tourism’s role in fostering global connections, particularly in a time of heightened geopolitical tension. He stressed the importance of supporting under-visited regions, stating, “There are 80% of countries worldwide lacking sufficient tourist influx, especially in Africa and Latin America. Strengthening these relationships is crucial for global benefit.”
Saudi Arabia’s commitment to elevating tourism as a stabilizing force reflects its vision for international cooperation and peacebuilding. Throughout the week, the Saudi delegation engaged in constructive dialogues at the WEF, showcasing how Vision 2030 serves as a blueprint for driving transformative growth.
As discussions continue, the Kingdom is poised to position tourism as not only an economic driver but a vital component of global stability and prosperity. With the spotlight on tourism at this year’s event, the world watches closely for how Saudi Arabia’s initiatives will reshape the future of the travel sector.
Stay tuned for more updates from Davos as this story develops.
