Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Tourism, His Excellency Ahmed Al-Khateeb, is set to lead discussions on global tourism at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos. This move underscores the kingdom’s commitment to positioning tourism as a critical engine for economic diversification and sustainable development.
As Al-Khateeb noted, “The Travel and Tourism sector is a cornerstone of global economies.” He emphasized the importance of acknowledging the sector’s role in discussions, particularly as the world convenes in Davos for the WEF Annual Meeting 2025.
In collaboration with the Saudi Ministry of Tourism, the WEF released a briefing paper on “The Future of Travel and Tourism: Embracing Sustainable and Inclusive Growth.” This paper explores transformative trends, destination readiness, and cross-sector collaboration.
The paper will inform Travel and Tourism discussions across the WEF Annual Meeting agenda, including:
- Travel and Tourismβs role in Building Trust
- Scaling Sustainable Tourism: Connecting People and Places
- The Way We Will Travel
The Kingdom has also released an Investor White Paper highlighting Vision 2030 initiatives that are transforming the tourism sector. The paper highlights the significant strides made in developing state-of-the-art tourism infrastructure, drawing international visitors, and offering unique cultural experiences.
Notably, Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 plan has already led to significant investments in tourism infrastructure, hospitality, and cultural experiences. The Kingdom has surpassed its 2030 target of 100 million tourist arrivals, with its strategic location within a six-hour flight of 40% of the world’s population making it an apppealing destination.
Al-Khateeb’s participation in the WEF will highlight Saudi Arabia’s model for tourism development, which integrates sustainability with economic growth and regional collaboration. He will also engage in discussions on scaling sustainable tourism, connecting people to places, and the future of travel.
As Al-Khateeb stated, “I am honoured to be invited to the WEF Annual Meeting and underscore tourism’s potential as a catalyst for inclusive global economic transformation through sustainability, innovation, andΒ collaboration. Saudi Arabia remains committed to strengthening international cooperation and promoting sustainable growth in tourism.”
In addition to participation in official WEF engagements, Minister Al-Khateeb will also be participating in critical dialogues focused on driving Africa’s development through investment, empowering women leaders in global economies, and scaling sustainable tourism. Through these discussions, he will collaborate with leaders and policymakers from both private and public sectors, fostering meaningful connections and potentialΒ partnerships.
Also read: Saudi Arabiaβs surprising nature spots
