The Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities has set a target of inviting 11.4 Million foreign tourists in 2010.
The Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities (SCTA) expects a growth of 4% in tourist arrivals and has set an ambitious target of attracting in excess of 11.4 Million foreign visitors (including pilgrims) this year (2010), as reported by
MENAFN.com.
Saudi Arabia welcomed more than 10.5 Million foreign tourists (including pilgrims & businessmen) in the year 2009. The country-received tourists from round the globe – Western countries, China, Japan and other countries.
The prime reason for prospective growth in the tourism sector is the events that are schedule to take place this year. One of the high profile events – Saudi Travel & Tourism Investment Market (STTIM) – inaugurated on March 28, 2010 and it would run for five days. The event provides a platform for companies running in hospitality and travel sector and will facilitate the overall development of the tourism industry.
Cultural programs are also being organized on the occasion and in excess of 150 companies participate in the event. All the 14 regions of Saudi Arabia along with major cities will display their services and products at the event to draw more and more tourists.
Another important factor that supports the Saudi Arabian tourism industry is the inflow of tourists for pilgrimage. Saudi Arabia is the home of two holy cities – Medina and Mecca – that attract millions of Muslims every year for Hajj (the largest yearly pilgrimage across the world). Business traveling is also quite popular in the country because of its position of the world’s largest oil exporter. Saudi Arabia’s other large industries like defense also contribute to attract large number of business travelers.
The government has made plans to leverage these two segments (religious tourism and business travel) of the tourism industry to gain from them. In fact, the government expenditure will help the tourism sector to grow rapidly this year.
According to a Research Analyst at
RNCOS, “The Saudi Arabian tourism industry posses strong potential and is very unique despite the limitations of strict entrance visa regulations. Other related industries such as the hospitality sector are all set to make rapid progress along with the rising tourist arrivals. But the industry needs billions of Saudi Riyals investments to exploit the full potential.”
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