What's happened
Saudi Arabia welcomed 115.9 million tourists in 2024, surpassing its Vision 2030 goal six years early. The kingdom is expanding its tourism infrastructure, including giga-projects and new airports, to attract more visitors and diversify its economy. Meanwhile, the Philippines and Egypt are also boosting tourism with new initiatives and investments.
What's behind the headline?
Saudi Arabia's achievement of 115.9 million tourists in 2024 demonstrates the effectiveness of its aggressive investment in tourism infrastructure and marketing. The country’s strategic location within a seven-hour flight of over half the world's population, combined with UNESCO sites and luxury developments, positions it as a global tourism hub. The expansion of airports and giga-projects like Neom and AlUla will likely sustain this growth, attracting long-term investment and boosting GDP. Conversely, the Philippines and Egypt are leveraging niche markets—Muslim-friendly tourism and luxury coastal resorts—to diversify their economies. The Philippines' focus on halal tourism and Egypt's development of Alam Al-Roum aim to attract specific segments, but their success depends on regional stability and infrastructure improvements. Overall, Saudi Arabia's rapid growth sets a new standard for Middle Eastern tourism, while other regional players are adopting complementary strategies to benefit from the expanding market.
What the papers say
Arab News highlights Saudi Arabia's achievement of surpassing its tourism targets ahead of schedule, emphasizing the country's infrastructure investments and giga-projects. The UN Tourism General Assembly in Riyadh underscores the kingdom's strategic positioning and global leadership in tourism development. The New Arab reports on Saudi Arabia's efforts to attract diverse tourist segments, including high-profile influencers like MrBeast, and its focus on expanding mid-income travel options. Meanwhile, Egypt and the Philippines are pursuing their own growth strategies, with Egypt developing Alam Al-Roum into a year-round destination and the Philippines expanding its Muslim-friendly tourism infrastructure. These sources collectively illustrate a regional shift towards large-scale, government-backed tourism initiatives aimed at economic diversification and global competitiveness.
How we got here
Saudi Arabia's rapid tourism growth is driven by government efforts to diversify its economy away from oil, aligned with Vision 2030. The country has invested heavily in infrastructure, giga-projects, and cultural heritage sites, aiming to attract 150 million visitors annually by 2030. The Philippines and Egypt are also expanding their tourism sectors through new marketing strategies and large-scale developments, seeking to capitalize on regional and international interest.
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