Saudi Arabia, historically known for its oil wealth, is redefining its economic future by focusing on tourism as a fundamental pillar of its growth. Under the ambitious Vision 2030 led by Crown Prince His Royal Highness Mohammed Bin Salman, the country has become a leader in the G20 in economic growth, with an impressive 8.7 percent driven primarily by tourism, surpassing the group's average by two and a half times.

Saudi Arabia's commitment to international tourism is evident through the organization of globally significant events, such as the Global Summit of the World Travel and Tourism Council and the recent official ceremony for World Tourism Day 2023, which attracted over 500 global leaders from the public and private sectors, academics, and media.

The Chief Advisor to the Minister of Tourism of Saudi Arabia, Gloria Guevara Manzo, reports that the country has experienced a 378 percent increase in the number of international visitors and a 168 percent increase in their spending. These numbers solidify Saudi Arabia as a major player in the world of tourism and position it as "the new oil" in the region.

Saudi Arabia's tourism strategy focuses on multiple fronts, including the construction of cities, airports, and 600,000 new hotel rooms through mega-projects, with the ambitious goal of attracting 120 million travelers by 2030, with a budgeted investment of 1 trillion dollars. Furthermore, projects like Neom, The Line, Trojena, and Oxagon are set to transform the region into a futuristic hub with hyper-connected cities, ports, business zones, and top-tier tourist destinations.

Saudi Arabia has also embraced sports as a tool to attract tourism. Saudi Pro League clubs have invested significantly to sign international stars like Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar, Karim Benzema, and Roberto Firmino, contributing to the country's economic growth. Additionally, efforts are underway to expand Saudi Arabia's air connectivity from 99 to over 250 destinations by 2030.

In the realm of sustainability, Saudi Arabia has become a global example, recognizing the importance of the green agenda and environmental preservation despite its historic reliance on oil. The Sustainable Tourism Global Center (STGC) initiative aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the tourism sector and move towards net-zero emissions.

Furthermore, Saudi Arabia is committed to empowering women in the travel and tourism sector, with measures that allow them to drive, travel alone, and access the job market on equal terms. The nation seeks to ensure that tourism remains a driver of growth and development while meeting its climate goals.

In summary, Saudi Arabia aims to attract 120 million tourists by 2030 and is undertaking a series of ambitious initiatives in tourism, sports, and sustainability to achieve this goal and establish itself as a global leader in this industry.