Minister of Tourism of Saudi Arabia Ahmed Al-Khateeb addressed the G20 tourism ministers’ meeting in Brazil, emphasising the Kingdom’s commitment to developing a sustainable tourism sector and using it to strengthen international cultural ties. This is reported by Arab News.

“Saudi Arabia shares and celebrates the G20’s dedication to boost tourism growth and to put sustainability at the heart of our work. <…> During my participation in the meeting of the G20 tourism ministers in Brazil, I highlighted the Kingdom’s success in advancing tourism connectivity that extends beyond economic gains. We are opening doors to people globally to explore the rich culture of Saudi Arabia,” Ahmed Al-Khateeb noted. On the sidelines of the G20 meeting, he also discussed opportunities for cooperation with Italy’s tourism minister and India’s culture and tourism minister, emphasising the importance of international efforts to build a prosperous and sustainable tourism future.

In the first seven months of this year, Saudi Arabia’s international tourism revenues grew by 207 per cent compared to the same period in 2019. According to the Kingdom’s National Tourism Strategy, the country aims to attract 150 million visitors by 2030, increasing tourism’s contribution to GDP from 6 per cent to 10 per cent.

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