“This figure is 4.76 percent more than the revenue earned in
2009,” Al-Bakhit said in a statement that was carried by the Saudi Press Agency
on Sunday.
He was optimistic about the future of the country’s tourism
industry. “By the year 2015 its revenue would reach SR118 billion and by 2020
it would jump further to SR232 billion,” he said.
Making a presentation on “Creating a tourism investment
climate in the Kingdom,” Al-Bakhit said the revenue of transport sector would
increase by eight percent in 2010 to reach SR30 billion.
Restaurants and coffee shops are expected to earn a revenue
of SR36 billion in 2010, up 9 percent compared to last year.
The number of jobs in the tourism sector rose from 333,125
in 2000 to 457,658 in 2009, registering an annual growth rate of 7.4 percent.
“The number of Saudis working in the field rose by 60
percent from 66,704 to 117,384 during the same period,” the official said.
He disclosed SCTA’s plan to establish a holding company for
tourism development in order to carry out tourism projects in various parts of
the country in association with private and public sectors.
“We also intend to provide public land on long lease to
attract investment. The old Okaz Souq in Taif will be floated for private
investment in order to develop the area for cultural tourism,” he explained.
Al-Bakhit is hopeful that investment in the Kingdom’s
tourism sector would grow as a result of the country’s increasing tourism
prospects, its economic strength and growing population.
He said tourism would strengthen the Kingdom’s economy,
diversify its revenue, create more jobs for its citizens and provide investment
opportunities for small and medium enterprises.
