Saudi Arabia is positioning tourism as a cornerstone of its long-term economic transformation, according to H.E. Ahmed Al-Khateeb, Minister of Tourism of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, during an exclusive session hosted by Forbes Middle East at the Forbes Middle East HUB on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2026 in Davos, Switzerland.
The high-level discussion highlighted tourism’s growing role as a strategic driver of diversification, resilience, and global engagement, amid rapid shifts in the international economic landscape.
Tourism’s Rising Contribution to GDP and Employment
Al-Khateeb emphasized that tourism has evolved into a major contributor to the Saudi economy, now accounting for approximately 5% of the Kingdom’s GDP and nearly 5% of total employment. This marks a significant increase compared to the sector’s 3% contribution prior to the launch of Saudi Vision 2030.
Over the past five years alone, the tourism sector has generated 250,000 new jobs, reinforcing its role as a core pillar of national economic development and social impact.
Saudi Arabia’s Expanding Global Tourism Footprint
Positioning the Kingdom within the broader global context, Al-Khateeb noted that tourism contributes nearly 10% of global GDP and supports around 357 million jobs worldwide. In Saudi Arabia, the sector currently supports close to one million jobs, underscoring its scale and growth potential.
He added that the Kingdom has rapidly emerged as a key player shaping the future of global tourism through policy leadership, investment, and international collaboration.
$400 Billion Investment Reshaping the Tourism Landscape
The Saudi Tourism Minister revealed that Saudi Arabia is now the world’s largest single investor in tourism, with investments exceeding $400 billion. These funds are directed toward developing new tourism destinations, expanding aviation and airport infrastructure, and significantly increasing accommodation capacity.
Hotel room supply is expected to grow from 550,000 rooms today to between 600,000 and 650,000 rooms in the coming years, supporting rising visitor demand and large-scale international events.
Preparing for Expo 2030 and the 2034 FIFA World Cup
Al-Khateeb explained that these investments are closely aligned with Saudi Arabia’s preparations to host major global events, including Expo 2030 and the 2034 FIFA World Cup. The expansion of tourism infrastructure is designed to ensure world-class visitor experiences while strengthening the Kingdom’s long-term economic foundations.
Technology, AI, and Human Capital Integration
The interview, conducted by Mark Evans, also addressed the importance of integrating all components of the tourism ecosystem. Al-Khateeb stressed that while technology and artificial intelligence play a critical enabling role, they are not substitutes for human capital.
He highlighted ongoing efforts to invest in national talent, skills development, and workforce readiness as essential to sustaining growth and competitiveness in the tourism sector.
Forbes Middle East HUB: A Platform for Global Dialogue
The conversation formed part of the Forbes Middle East HUB at Davos, an initiative that brings together ministers, CEOs, policymakers, and global leaders for in-depth discussions on economic transformation.
Through its Davos platform, Forbes Middle East aims to foster independent, high-level dialogue on innovation, sustainability, digital transformation, and international partnerships, while spotlighting regional contributions to the global economy.
Addressing the Future of the Global Economy
The Forbes Middle East Platform at Davos also explores critical themes shaping the future, including AI governance, the smart economy, sustainable growth financing, cybersecurity, the future of energy, and innovation in healthcare, reinforcing its role as a bridge between regional perspectives and global decision-making.
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