Studies show that the number of international tourists to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will exceed 11 million during the next 20 years, while the annual income from tourism is expected to reach SR 22 billion, according to Dr Hasan Al-Hajhooj, head of the studies department of the General Investment Commission.
"This indicates that there will be a huge increase in job opportunities and a growth in the national income," Dr Al-Hajhooj quoted as saying by Saudi Gazette. Dr Al-Hajhooj made these remarks in a paper he presented at the final day of the first Saudi Tourism Forum, which concluded its deliberations yesterday at Jeddah Hilton Hotel. The two-day Forum was opened by Prince Abdul-Majeed Bin Abdul-Aziz, Governor of Makkah region. "We find that the Saudi private sector tourism related investments outside the Kingdom has reached more than SR 30 billion.
For his part, Lu'ai Ganitah, Head of the Tourism Department of the Taif Chamber of Commerce and Industry said "there is a need to organize more festivals in the Kingdom, due to their proven high beneficial outcome." "Tourists who visited Jeddah during last year's summer festival spent more than SR 880 million. This indicates this sector has potential for investment," he added.
Source: SPA
