Saudi Arabia’s tourism revolution
The number of tourists visiting Saudi Arabia for non-religious purposes has increased. The country has been actively investing in various attractions and developing giga-projects, including the Red Sea Project, Amaala, and Neom, the mega project with the highest value of construction contracts awarded. The Red Sea Project, meanwhile, is being constructed across a chain of more than 90 islands, mountain canyons, dormant volcanoes, and historic landmarks. The development of tourism infrastructure and the hotel industry in Saudi Arabia, along with the introduction of e-visas for international travelers, has made it more inviting for tourists to explore the country.The government adopted a resolution enabling the Ministry of Tourism to ease tax and cut customs duties for relevant public departments to encourage firms to participate in the country's booming tourism sector. With the non-oil private sector being the largest contributor to the country’s GDP, the government aims to cooperate with private-sector firms to design work plans and training programs that will result in job generation and training for Saudi citizens.
