At the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2026 in Davos, His Excellency Ahmed Al-Khateeb, the Minister of Tourism for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, called on global leaders to recognize tourism as a critical economic infrastructure essential for driving growth and resilience. He made his remarks on January 24, 2026, during a series of discussions focused on the future of the tourism sector in an increasingly interconnected yet fragmented world.
Minister Al-Khateeb emphasized that tourism should not merely be viewed as a discretionary sector. Instead, it must be seen as a strategic system that can foster diversification, attract long-term investment, and generate inclusive employment opportunities across various regions. “With an estimated 2 billion international arrivals by 2030, the question for leaders is not whether tourism will grow, but whether it will scale responsibly,” he stated.
He highlighted Saudi Arabia’s ongoing transformation under Vision 2030, where tourism is a cornerstone of the Kingdom’s economic strategy. In 2025, Saudi Arabia welcomed 30 million inbound visitors, with ambitions to reach 150 million by 2030. The Kingdom stands as the world’s largest single investor in tourism, focusing investments across destinations, aviation, digital platforms, and human capital development. Currently, tourism contributes nearly 5% of Saudi Arabia’s direct GDP and supports over 1 million jobs.
Minister Al-Khateeb cited notable projects like AlUla, Diriyah, and the Red Sea as examples of a master-planned approach to destination development. These projects are designed with an emphasis on safety, sustainability, and quality of life, which have in turn bolstered investor confidence and aligned tourism growth with community benefits and cultural preservation.
In addition to discussing Saudi Arabia’s efforts, the Minister introduced the ‘Beyond Tourism’ initiative, which aims to transition tourism from a mere industry discussion to a system-level leadership agenda. This initiative, developed in collaboration with the World Economic Forum, seeks to align policy, investment, and innovation across sustainability, inclusion, and resilience.
“Tourism remains undervalued in economic decision-making,” Al-Khateeb noted. He pointed out that despite being a USD 10 trillion global economy, tourism is often excluded from critical areas like infrastructure and industrial policy. He advocated for recognizing tourism as a vital engine of productivity and connectivity, supported by coherent policies and data-driven frameworks.
Saudi Arabia also showcased TOURISE, a global platform aimed at translating tourism ambitions into actionable outcomes by bringing together governments, investors, and industry leaders. Since its inception, TOURISE has convened nearly 10,000 leaders from over 100 countries, catalyzing more than USD 113 billion in tourism-related investments. The next TOURISE gathering is scheduled for March 2027.
Globally, the travel and tourism sector accounts for approximately 10% of global GDP and sustains more than 357 million jobs, marking it as one of the most inclusive sectors of the economy. Al-Khateeb underscored the importance of tourism in fostering people-to-people connections, especially during times of heightened geopolitical tension.
He called on governments and global institutions to elevate tourism within their economic and infrastructure policies, stressing its potential to support growth, resilience, and international cooperation. “One of our biggest challenges is not just looking at ourselves, but at how we can assist other countries,” he explained. He noted that many regions, particularly in Africa and Latin America, lack sufficient tourist traffic and emphasized the need to strengthen relationships with these countries to aid in developing their tourism industries for mutual global benefit.
Al-Khateeb concluded by stating that tourism, when led responsibly, can serve as a stabilizing force and a multiplier for peace worldwide. Throughout the week in Davos, Saudi Arabia’s delegation engaged in constructive dialogues with leaders from various sectors, showcasing how Saudi Vision 2030 acts as a blueprint for transformative growth and global stability. The delegation also hosted over 20 sessions at the Saudi House, highlighting themes such as investment, collaboration, and enhancing quality of life.
By articulating a comprehensive vision for tourism’s role in the global economy, Saudi Arabia is seeking to redefine the sector’s value and its impact on international relations and economic development.
