‘Resilience is built before you need it’: Saudi tourism chief
Dubai: “Resilience is built before you need it,” Saudi Minister of Tourism Ahmed Al-Khateeb told the global travel trade in London on Tuesday. The kingdom is pushing its tourism drive through a war that has seen airport closures and dented its economy. Al-Khateeb opened Saudi Land at World Travel Market (WTM) London on November 3. He used the stage to tell the industry that "Saudi tourism has…
Saudi Minister of Tourism Ahmed Al-Khateeb emphasized the importance of building resilience in tourism before crises strike. Speaking to the global travel industry at the World Travel Market in London, Al-Khateeb highlighted Saudi Arabia's tourism sector's ability to withstand adversity. Despite the country's ongoing challenges, including airport closures, economic setbacks, and the impact of Houthis attacks, tourism has proven resilient.
In the first half of 2026, Saudi Arabia welcomed 61.2 million tourists, marking a 1 percent increase from the previous year. Tourism spending reached SAR151.9 billion. Al-Khateeb reiterated the Kingdom's commitment to welcoming 150 million visitors by 2030. Despite GDP declines of 4.7 percent in the second quarter and 3.8 percent in the third, the International Monetary Fund now forecasts a 3.3 percent contraction for 2026.
Oil production, a crucial revenue source, has also suffered, falling to 6.2 million barrels a day in August. To mitigate the impact of the Strait of Hormuz disruptions, Saudi authorities have redirected crude through a pipeline to its Red Sea terminal. Riyadh anticipates a budget deficit of 4.9 percent of GDP. The IMF projects 7.9 percent growth in 2027.
The tourism sector's strength has been tested by various challenges, but Al-Khateeb's message is clear: resilience is built before you need it.
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