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.

A broad internal consensus, encompassing both political and economic dimensions, is taking shape to adopt the principles outlined in the presidential inauguration address as the foundation of the new government’s program and ministerial statement. This approach aims to sustain Lebanon’s immediate and strong positive momentum, which is reinforced by widespread support on both Arab and international levels.

Economic bodies and professional unions representing business sectors have openly expressed their relief and full support for the strategic directions set by President Joseph Aoun following his election. However, they have made it clear that maintaining this positive momentum depends on the formation of a reform-oriented rescue government, composed of competent, experienced, and honest ministers. This government must also collaborate constructively with the president.

According to a senior financial official, the rescue mission will be challenging due to years of governmental inaction and constitutional voids, which led to a deterioration in public sector operations and the accumulation of economic, financial, and monetary crises over the past five years. These challenges were further compounded by a devastating war, which inflicted severe human and financial losses estimated at approximately $10 billion, thereby worsening the country’s financial gap, now estimated at $72 billion.

Economic and banking circles are looking to the new government to swiftly capitalize on extensive international support by restoring trust and reestablishing financial channels between Lebanon and its regional and international partners. Key to this effort are explicit and transparent commitments to combating illegal economic activities, corruption, smuggling, money laundering, and drug trafficking. In parallel, the government must prioritize strengthening judicial independence and implementing strict controls over land, sea, and air borders.

The national consensus evident in the presidential election, according to Mohammad Choucair, head of Lebanon’s economic associations, paves the way for constructive collaboration among political factions. This collaboration is crucial for addressing challenges, rebuilding the state, and benefiting from renewed international and Arab—particularly Gulf and Saudi—interest in Lebanon. Choucair emphasized the importance of normalizing relations with Gulf nations, supporting Lebanon’s recovery, and providing resources for reconstruction efforts.

One of the urgent tasks for the new government, according to the financial official, is revisiting the draft 2024 state budget, which was previously submitted to parliament. Adjustments are necessary to address fundamental discrepancies in expenditure and revenue projections, taking into account significant changes brought about by the Israeli war.

Ibrahim Kanaan, chairman of the Parliamentary Finance Committee, described the budget as “unrealistic, if not entirely fictitious,” particularly in its revenue estimates. He pointed out that revenue increases were based on income and capital taxes, internal duties, and trade-related fees, all of which have been severely impacted by the war.

Reassuring depositors, both domestic and expatriate, who have suffered massive losses over recent years, is another pressing issue. These losses were exacerbated by the inability of successive governments to implement a comprehensive rescue plan addressing the $72 billion financial gap fairly. The situation was worsened by mismanagement in the electricity sector and the squandering of over $20 billion in central bank reserves following the onset of the financial crisis.

In response to Aoun’s commitment to a fair resolution for depositors, the Association of Banks in Lebanon welcomed his emphasis on safeguarding deposits. It also expressed its readiness to collaborate with the central bank and the government to protect depositors’ rights, citing a recent State Council ruling that prohibits any financial recovery plans from including measures that would erode depositors’ funds.

In its final session, the caretaker government addressed long-standing creditor issues by unanimously agreeing to suspend Lebanon’s right to invoke statutes of limitations on claims by foreign bondholders under New York law. This suspension, effective until March 9, 2028, aims to facilitate future negotiations.

With this decision, the caretaker government tacitly acknowledged Lebanon’s pending debt obligations, including over $10 billion in suspended interest payments on Eurobonds and approximately $30 billion in principal debt. The resolution now awaits direct negotiations under the new administration, which faces the challenge of resolving a nearly five-year-old crisis triggered by the previous government’s uncoordinated decision to halt payments on all Eurobond obligations through 2037.

Caretaker Finance Minister Youssef Khalil emphasized that despite the difficult circumstances, “Lebanon remains committed to reaching a fair and consensual resolution regarding the restructuring of Eurobond debt.”

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