Gulf | Saudi Arabia
Saudi tourism continues to grow
Saudi Arabia's domestic tourism is enjoying remarkable growth in recent years due to increased mobility among its growing population and due to the development of tourism infrastructure.
- By Abdul Rahman Shaheen, Correspondent
- Published: 22:51 April 23, 2009
Riyadh: Saudi Arabia's domestic tourism is enjoying remarkable growth in recent years due to increased mobility among its growing population and due to the development of tourism infrastructure.
The amount of money spent on domestic tourism during the last year reached 37.5 billion riyals, according to the Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities (SCTA).
Domestic tourism added 47 billion riyals (2.7 per cent) to gross domestic product (GDP) during the year.
This was against 36.4 billion riyals added to GDP in 2004.
The tourism sector made up 6.9 per cent of non-oil GDP last year.
This was disclosed by Dr Mohammad Al Ahmad, director general of the Centre for Tourism Information and Research at the SCTA.
He said the number of tourism firms in the kingdom jumped to 41,640 in 2008 from 29,190 in 2004.
"The number of Saudi tourists who went abroad reached more than 4 million and they spent 22.2 billion riyals," he said.
According to Ahmad, the number of people working in the kingdom's tourism sector rose from 3,335,200 in 2004 to 4,456,200 in 2008.
However, hotel occupancy fell from 59.5 per cent in January this year to 56.6 per cent in February, he said.
It is noteworthy that the tourism sector is witnessing fast growth with several mega projects springing up in various regions of the kingdom.
Amid the global meltdown, smart investors have their sights set on Saudi Arabia and have earmarked the kingdom as the next potential bright spot for tourism. Several investors and businessmen are concentrating on this sector.
Your comments
Undoubtedly Saudi Arabia is one of the most demading destinations in the Arabian Gulf, be it religous, leisure, business or antique exploration KSA offers everything to its visitors. SCTA has extended its full cooperation with exisiting travel agents and given easy access to new investors to take part in promoting the tourism sector, however more concentration and flexiblity needed in appointing travel professionals.
Ali Murtaza
Riyadh,Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Posted: April 24, 2009, 13:58
News Editor's choice
-
6,000 cups and counting: Addicted to that tea
This cafeteria in Al Mamzar attracts thousands of customers daily, including the rich and not so rich
-
Swimming pool horror: Twins hospitalised
Twins rushed to hospital after collapsing from chlorine inhalation at swimming pool in their villa
-
Play your cards right with credit card interest
UAE Central Bank plans to cap interest rates, but are you paying thirty-five per cent now?
