JEDDAH, 25 June — Saudi Arabia is expected to generate SR40 billion in tourism revenue within the next two years, according to a study presented at a tourism seminar in Abha recently. The study said the tourism sector would create 65,000 jobs for Saudis.
Prince Bandar ibn Saud ibn Khaled, chairman of the board of trustees of the Prince Sultan College for Tourism and Hotels, said Saudis now spend SR40 billion a year on foreign travel. He urged them to spend at least 10 percent of the sum on domestic tourism.
The seminar, which was organized by the college, called upon the private sector to focus on tourism projects. It also called for viable solutions to the challenges facing the Saudi tourism industry.
Prince Sultan ibn Salman, secretary-general of the Supreme Commission for Tourism, presented a paper on the economic effects of domestic tourism.
Saleh Kamel, chairman of Dallah Albaraka, said Saudi Arabia possessed all essential factors for developing a viable tourism industry. He commended the role played by Asir Governor Prince Khaled Al-Faisal in promoting domestic tourism. “It was Prince Khaled who first called for the development of a local tourism industry; it culminated in the formation of the Supreme Commission for Tourism,” Kamel told Al-Watan Arabic newspaper.
He said the Kingdom’s tourism sector has the potential to make good returns compared to other industries, agriculture and trade, thanks to the presence of the Two Holy Mosques, beautiful mountains and a long coastline. “We cannot say that every tourist is wicked. It is a wrong notion. We have our own customs and traditions based on our faith. We will not change them for tourism and we will not allow anybody to cross the limit.”
Abdullah Yaenellah, director of the tourism development department in Baha, one of the Kingdom’s major tourist spots, said his department was making every effort to promote tourism in the region.
Speaking to Al-Madinah newspaper, he said there was good scope for establishing gigantic tourism projects in the region. He said the governorate has a plan to promote tourism throughout the year.
