Samer Al-Kharashi to Asharq Al-Awsat: Saudi Arabia Making Progress in Green Investments

Samer Al-Kharashi, Director of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) Regional Office for the Middle East, highlighted Saudi Arabia’s role in advancing the tourism ecosystem in the region and promoting sustainable development in the sector.

In an interview with Asharq Al-Awsat, he stressed that the Kingdom’s hosting of the regional office reflects its commitment to making tourism a key driver of economic growth in the Middle East.

Al-Kharashi noted that the Arab Gulf and the Middle East saw the largest relative increase in international tourist arrivals, surpassing pre-pandemic levels by 36% during the first quarter of 2024. This includes a 4% increase compared to the same period in 2023, making the region the global leader in tourism recovery.

In the interview, the official emphasized that Saudi Arabia’s mega-projects are pivotal to Vision 2030, which aims to diversify the economy and position the Kingdom as a premier global tourist destination. He added that these projects align closely with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals 2030, focusing on sustainable tourism, economic growth, and preserving cultural heritage.

Al-Kharashi acknowledged Saudi Arabia’s substantial progress in sustainable tourism development, citing the UNWTO’s report on tourism and the Sustainable Development Goals. He commended Riyadh’s efforts in promoting viable initiatives that benefit both people and the environment.

Since its launch in Riyadh in May 2021, the UNWTO’s Middle East office has become a key contributor to the region’s tourism growth, he noted. Its primary focus has been on capacity building, enhancing competitiveness, and fostering public-private partnerships to support tourism-driven regional development. The office also works to integrate tourism into public policy and promote rural destinations, he underlined.

On a technical level, the office supports advanced capacity-building initiatives, skill development, and the promotion of sustainable tourism practices, Al-Kharashi said, adding that it aims to create a more robust and competitive tourism sector in the Middle East, ensuring long-term, sustainable growth.

Asked about the tourism sector’s performance in the Middle East in terms of numbers, the official replied that the Middle East has made significant progress in tourism development.

According to the UNWTO Tourism Barometer, the region recorded a 36% increase in international arrivals compared to pre-pandemic levels during the first quarter of 2024, he stated. This follows a strong performance in 2023, when the region was the first globally to recover fully, with a 22% increase in tourist arrivals compared to pre-pandemic levels.

Al-Kharashi emphasized that tourism is a vital part of the global labor market, providing jobs for 1 in 10 people worldwide.

“As an international organization with 160 member countries, the UNWTO is dedicated to promoting sustainable development in the tourism sector. Our strategic priorities include fostering high-quality employment, nurturing talent, driving technological innovation, and advancing sustainability and climate action,” he told Asharq Al-Awsat.

Al-Kharashi further explained that the UNWTO promotes sustainable tourism and green investments in the region through a variety of initiatives.

The Organization focuses on three key investment areas: human capital development through education and skills training, environmental sustainability through green infrastructure investments, and economic growth through innovation and entrepreneurship, he stressed.

These initiatives align with Saudi Arabia’s Green Saudi and Green Middle East programs, he remarked.

Additionally, the UNWTO has launched a Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Tourism Platform, which offers resources and expert knowledge on sustainable tourism practices, Al-Kharashi said, adding that the Organization is also committed to promoting green investments through events such as World Tourism Day 2023, which showcased opportunities for sustainable tourism development.

Discussing the current state of green investments in the Middle East’s tourism sector, particularly in Saudi Arabia, Al-Kharashi stressed that green investments are increasingly central to tourism development in the region. The UNWTO has developed investment guidelines that encourage sustainable tourism investments, including in Jordan, where foreign direct investment rose by 83% in 2022, reaching $1.1 billion.

Furthermore, he added that Saudi Arabia has made significant strides in sustainable tourism, citing the UNWTO’s report, which highlights the Kingdom’s efforts under SDG 15 (Life on Land), such as reforestation projects to combat desertification and drought.

Al-Kharashi went on to say that the UNWTO’s regional office in Saudi Arabia plays a crucial role in shaping the future of tourism in the Middle East.

“By fostering close collaboration between public and private sectors, the office is helping to build a dynamic and competitive tourism environment. With over 13 affiliated members from Saudi Arabia, including representatives from hospitality, education, and travel, the office is boosting tourism capacity and development across the region,” he stated.

He continued that the office also supports initiatives such as the Tourism Tech Mentorship Program in Al-Ula, aimed at cultivating a new generation of tourism leaders. This strategy ensures that the region remains competitive, while also contributing to long-term economic and social development.

According to Al-Kharashi, Saudi Arabia’s decision to host the UNWTO’s first regional office demonstrates the Kingdom’s commitment to diversifying its economy and positioning the Middle East as a leading global tourism destination. The office supports the 13 member countries of the region and strengthens collaboration with 45 affiliated members from the region.

“By promoting tourism education, skill development, and rural tourism, the regional office plays a vital role in advancing the tourism sector across the Middle East,” he remarked.

Asked about the UNWTO’s view of Saudi Arabia’s recent tourism developments, he UN official said that the Organization regards Saudi Arabia’s tourism development as highly promising, especially with the Kingdom’s ambitious goal of attracting 150 million visitors annually by 2030.

To meet this target, it will be essential to bolster the sector’s capabilities through education, training, and skill development, he stated, adding that the recent agreement between the UNWTO and Saudi Arabia includes the establishment of a “Jobs Factory” and a “Tourism Labor Market Observatory,” both designed to boost capacity and assess workforce skills.

Additionally, the UNWTO has recognized two Saudi destinations - Rijal Alma and AlUla - in its “Best Tourism Villages” competition, underscoring the Kingdom’s commitment to preserving cultural and natural heritage, he told Asharq Al-Awsat.

Al-Kharashi noted that Saudi Arabia’s mega-projects, such as NEOM, the Red Sea Project, Qiddiya, and AlUla, represent a major transformation for both the region and the global tourism landscape. He explained that these projects, part of Vision 2030, are designed to diversify the Kingdom’s economy and establish it as a world-class tourist destination.

With successful bids for the 2034 FIFA World Cup and Expo 2030, alongside ambitious projects that include futuristic cities, entertainment hubs, and heritage sites, Saudi Arabia is on track to become a major player in the global tourism industry, the official said. These projects will set new benchmarks for sustainable and innovative tourism practices, enhancing the Middle East’s reputation as a leading destination for visitors worldwide.

China's economic growth is likely to slow to 4.5% in 2025 and cool further to 4.2% in 2026, a Reuters poll showed, with policymakers poised to roll out fresh stimulus measures to soften the blow from impending US tariff hikes.

Gross domestic product (GDP) likely grew 4.9% in 2024 - largely meeting the government's annual growth target of around 5%, helped by stimulus measures and strong exports, according to the median forecasts of 64 economists polled by Reuters.

But the world's second-largest economy faces heightened trade tensions with the United States as President-elect Donald Trump, who has proposed hefty tariffs on Chinese goods, is set to return to the White House next week.

“Potential US tariff hikes are the biggest headwind for China's growth this year, and could affect exports, corporate capex and household consumption,” analysts at UBS said in a note.

“We (also) foresee property activity continuing to fall in 2025, though with a smaller drag on growth.”

Growth likely improved to 5.0% in the fourth quarter from a year earlier, quickening from the third-quarter's 4.6% pace as a flurry of support measures began to kick in, the poll showed.

On a quarterly basis, the economy is forecast to grow 1.6% in the fourth quarter, compared with 0.9% in July-September, the poll showed.

The government is due to release fourth-quarter and full-year GDP data, along with December activity data, on Friday.

China's economy has struggled for traction since a post-pandemic rebound quickly fizzled out, with a protracted property crisis, weak demand and high local government debt levels weighing heavily on activity, souring both business and consumer confidence.

Policymakers have unveiled a blitz of stimulus measures since September, including cuts in interest rates and banks' reserve requirements ratios (RRR) and a 10 trillion yuan ($1.36 trillion) municipal debt package.

They have also expanded a trade-in scheme for consumer goods such as appliances and autos, helping to revive retail sales.

Analysts expect more stimulus to be rolled out this year, but say the scope and size of China's moves may depend on how quickly and aggressively Trump implements tariffs or other punitive measures.

More stimulus on the cards

At an agenda-setting meeting in December, Chinese leaders pledged to increase the budget deficit, issue more debt and loosen monetary policy to support economic growth in 2025.

Leaders have agreed to maintain an annual growth target of around 5% for this year, backed by a record high budget deficit ratio of 4% and 3 trillion yuan in special treasury bonds, Reuters has reported, citing sources.

The government is expected to unveil growth targets and stimulus plans during the annual parliament meeting in March.

Faced with mounting economic risks and deflationary pressures, top leaders in December ditched their 14-year-old “prudent” monetary policy stance for a “moderately loose” posture.

China's central bank is expected to deploy its most aggressive monetary tactics in a decade this year as it tries to revive the economy, but in doing so it risks quickly exhausting its firepower. It has already had to repeatedly shore up its defense of the yuan currency as downward pressure pushes it to 16-month lows.

Analysts polled by Reuters expected the central bank to cut the seven-day reverse repo rate, its key policy rate, by 10 basis points in the first quarter, leading to a same cut in the one-year loan prime rate (LPR) - the benchmark lending rate.

The PBOC may also cut the weighted average reserve requirement ratio (RRR) for banks by at least 25 basis points in the first quarter, the poll showed, after two cuts in 2024.

Consumer inflation will likely pick up to 0.8% in 2025 from 0.2% in 2024, and rise further to 1.4% in 2026, the poll showed.

Samer Al-Kharashi to Asharq Al-Awsat: Saudi Arabia Making Progress in Green Investments