JEDDAH, 22 December 2006 — Saudi tourism industry welcomed the Kingdom’s national budget for 2007, which is aimed at developing various vital sectors and projects.
“The new budget will help tourism and enhance service and infrastructure facilities across the Kingdom,” an industry expert said yesterday. “It will boost the economy, support diversification drive and create more jobs.”
With a heightened importance given to tourism sector in the new budget, the industry’s prospects remain bright, especially that the Kingdom has a safe and secure environment, Fawzi Ismail Qubouri, chairman of Al-Rawia International Aviation Support Service Company (ALRASS) told Arab News in an interview.
In addition to the growing number of pilgrims for the annual Haj and year-round Umrah, tourist groups from the Western world especially have been visiting the Kingdom’s rich attractions. Such tourist groups are expected to increase in the coming years.
The role of the Supreme Commission for Tourism since its establishment proved effective in raising the importance of tourism across the Kingdom. “Tourism can be promoted here through different channels and by different agencies. Nobody could represent tourism in the Kingdom better than the new generation of Saudis who could truly reflect patriotism and cultural values,” said Qubouri, a graduate of Riyadh-based King Faisal Air Academy and retired Brig. Gen. who formerly held the position of air defense notification commander at King Abdullah Air Base.
“Their (Saudi youth) willingness to maximize their contributions to their country has always been evident during the Haj and Umrah seasons,” he said.
Saudi satellite channels and the Kingdom’s embassies worldwide have been promoting tourism and could present a perfect picture of the excellent status the Kingdom’s tourism enjoys, he added.
The Kingdom’s accession to the World Trade Organization and the ongoing development of King Abdullah Economic City and other economic cities could also help in attracting overseas investment to give more impetus to tourism industry, he said.
The Kingdom’s aviation industry has remained an attraction for overseas carriers as well. “The Kingdom holds many opportunities for new carriers. Nevertheless, it’s going to be a big challenge for them amid a very competitive aviation sector,” Qubouri said.
