Saudi Arabia has robust tourism market, however minister hopes for Chinese language vacationers

Sprawling mountains within the south, redevelopment of the Crimson Sea’s coastal jewel metropolis Jeddah and a futuristic good metropolis NEOM by 2030 — these are simply among the highlights that Saudi Arabia’s minister of tourism hopes would be the foremost attracts for future vacationers.

The Arab kingdom has a “very robust home market” for tourism, Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Tourism Ahmed Al Khateeb advised CNBC’s Dan Murphy on Wednesday on the sidelines of the Future Funding Initiative in Riyadh.

The minister added that he hopes China eases Covid restrictions, which might result in an inflow of Chinese language vacationers.

“We undoubtedly have [a] very robust non secular market, individuals visiting the 2 holy cities,” Al Khateeb stated.

The dominion is house to 2 of Islam’s holy sanctuaries, Mecca and Medina. Earlier than the pandemic, Saudi Arabia drew about $12 billion of income yearly from 2.6 million pilgrims embarking on the week-long haj.

“China was once a vital market, however it’s nonetheless closed. This 12 months, we have seen a terrific demand from Europe and the U.S.,” he stated.

“I completely would like to see a few of these restriction ease as a result of Chinese language market is a really huge market, not just for Saudi Arabia — for all the opposite nations.”

Al Khateeb additionally believes the upcoming Qatar World Cup “will certainly generate hundreds of jobs.”

The FIFA World Cup match begins on Nov. 20 and lasts for a month.

Qatar has been scrutinized in latest months for its remedy of migrant employees employed in building initiatives forward of the match.