Saudi Gazette report

MPUMALANGA — Saudi Deputy Minister of Tourism Princess Haifa bint Mohammed highlighted Saudi Arabia's pivotal role in shaping the future of tourism. She made the remarks while addressing the Tourism Investment Summit held for the first time in Mpumalanga and Cape Town, South Africa. Princess Haifa attended the G20 Tourism Ministerial Meeting and Tourism Investment Summit, reaffirming the Kingdom's commitment to sustainable and inclusive tourism, strengthening its position as a global leader in the sector.

The deputy minister emphasized that tourism has the power to change lives, transform economies, and bring the world closer together. "Through Saudi Vision 2030, we are demonstrating that tourism is not only a driver of economic prosperity but also a catalyst for inclusive social progress. But this potential can only be realized if we act boldly and collaboratively," she said.

During her address to G20 delegates, Princess Haifa said that Saudi Arabia shares and celebrates the G20's commitment to advancing tourism growth and embedding sustainability at the heart of our efforts. "The lesson from South Africa and Saudi Arabia is clear: lasting transformation happens when we share ideas and build together. This is why we created TOURISE, the first-ever global platform for action, year-round collaboration, and meaningful impact. We invite the world to join us this November to design and deliver the future of tourism in partnership,” she said.

Princess Haifa emphasized that tourism has the power to change lives, transform economies, and bring the world closer together. "Through Saudi Vision 2030, we are demonstrating that tourism is not only a driver of economic prosperity but also a catalyst for inclusive social progress. But this potential can only be realized if we act boldly and collaboratively,” she said.

The Kingdom continues to play a leading role on the global stage. Through its participation in the G20 Tourism Ministerial Meeting as a permanent member, Saudi Arabia helped shape the final ministerial declaration, ensuring that priorities such as sustainability, digital transformation, inclusivity, and skills development are reflected in global tourism policy.

The deputy minister hosted a TOURISE-sponsored ministerial dinner on behalf of Minister of Tourism Ahmed Al-Khateeb, inviting delegates to the first-ever TOURISE, a gathering of public and private sector leaders, innovators, and investors, to design a new global tourism agenda for the decades ahead.

It is noteworthy that Saudi Arabia remains a key driver of global tourism growth. The Kingdom's tourism sector is among the fastest growing in the world, welcoming 116 million domestic and inbound visitors in 2024, a 6 percent increase over 2023, and surpassing its target of 100 million annual visitors by 2030 for the second year in a row.

This growth is supported by major investments in destinations, flight routes, airport capacity, and world-class tourism infrastructure, including giga-projects such as NEOM, Qiddiya, and Diriyah. These efforts position Saudi Arabia as a global hub for tourism, investment, and innovation, offering opportunities across hospitality, cultural heritage, entertainment, and sports tourism.

The Kingdom continues to strengthen its position in the global tourism sector through sustainable development, empowering national talents, and enhancing international cooperation. Through strategic partnerships with prominent global organizations, Saudi Arabia is establishing new standards for a more resilient and inclusive tourism sector, ensuring long-term economic and social impact both locally and globally.