Red Sea Authority Sets Goal to Attract 19 Million Tourists to Coast by 2030

SRSA aims to develop a thriving coastal tourism sector in the Red Sea, contributing approximately SAR85 billion to the GDP by 2030. - Photo by SPA
SRSA aims to develop a thriving coastal tourism sector in the Red Sea, contributing approximately SAR85 billion to the GDP by 2030. - Photo by SPA
TT

Red Sea Authority Sets Goal to Attract 19 Million Tourists to Coast by 2030

SRSA aims to develop a thriving coastal tourism sector in the Red Sea, contributing approximately SAR85 billion to the GDP by 2030. - Photo by SPA
SRSA aims to develop a thriving coastal tourism sector in the Red Sea, contributing approximately SAR85 billion to the GDP by 2030. - Photo by SPA

The Saudi Red Sea Authority (SRSA), in collaboration with the Ministry of Investment, released on Tuesday a report titled "Invest in Coastal Tourism," highlighting the crucial role of coastal tourism in driving the goals of Saudi Vision 2030 to attract 19 million tourists to the Red Sea coast.
The report outlines the sector’s contributions to diversifying the national economy, attracting investments, generating new income sources, and creating employment opportunities.

It further emphasizes the importance of protecting the marine environment to ensure its sustainability for future generations, SPA reported.
SRSA aims to develop a thriving coastal tourism sector in the Red Sea, contributing approximately SAR85 billion to the GDP by 2030. The goals include capturing 30 percent of the Kingdom’s leisure tourism and 40 percent of total entertainment spending, attracting 19 million tourists, and generating more than 210,000 jobs. This effort aligns with SRSA’s mandates, which include encouraging investment in navigational and marine tourism activities while offering administrative, technical, and advisory support to all investors, particularly small and medium enterprises. It aims to promote these activities to enhance the coastal tourism sector and position the Red Sea as a compelling global destination.
In line with its recent initiatives, SRSA is dedicated to providing a unique experience for tourists in the Red Sea, fostering an attractive investment environment, setting model infrastructure standards, and creating prestigious coastal tourism destinations. It aims to achieve sustainable tourism and effective governance within the coastal tourism system.



Saudi Air Connectivity Program Negotiates with Global Firms to Expand Routes to Kingdom

The Saudi Air Connectivity Program participating at the Routes World 2024 (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The Saudi Air Connectivity Program participating at the Routes World 2024 (Asharq Al-Awsat)
TT

Saudi Air Connectivity Program Negotiates with Global Firms to Expand Routes to Kingdom

The Saudi Air Connectivity Program participating at the Routes World 2024 (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The Saudi Air Connectivity Program participating at the Routes World 2024 (Asharq Al-Awsat)

The Saudi Air Connectivity Program is meeting with major international transport companies at the Routes World 2024 in Manama, Bahrain.

The goal is to attract these companies to the local market, boosting air routes to 250 destinations and aiming to welcome 150 million visitors by 2030.

The program is participating in the three-day event to highlight services and opportunities for improving air connectivity with Saudi Arabia and reaching international markets.

The Saudi Air Connectivity Program has scheduled over 100 meetings at Routes World 2024 with global aviation leaders to discuss partnerships and showcase Saudi Arabia's strategic location as it seeks to expand international air routes.

Rashed Al-Shammari, the program’s Executive Vice President of Commercial Affairs, shared that discussions took place with airlines from Europe, including Switzerland, Germany, and the UK, as well as companies from China.

They explored opportunities for launching new direct flights to Saudi Arabia.

Adding New Seats

Al-Shammari highlighted that the program met with airline decision-makers to present opportunities for both currently served routes, which aim to expand flights, and underserved routes needing additional flights and seats.

He confirmed that interested companies expressed a desire to enter the Saudi market, but attracting them may take six months to five years, depending on factors like distance, aircraft availability, and profitability, especially following the COVID-19 crisis’s impact on the aviation industry.

Looking forward, Al-Shammari announced that follow-up meetings would focus on persuading airlines to establish new routes to underserved markets or enhance existing services.

Strengthening Partnerships

The program invites interested parties to visit its booth at Routes World 2024, where aviation leaders can learn about opportunities available across Saudi Arabia's 29 airports.

Launched in 2021, the Saudi Air Connectivity Program aims to boost tourism by improving air links between Saudi Arabia and the world through developing existing and new routes.

It works as the executive enabler of the National Tourism Strategy and the National Aviation Strategy to foster collaboration between public and private sectors in tourism and aviation, enhancing Saudi Arabia’s position as a leading global destination.