Saudi Arabia Showcases Strategic Tourism Investments at IHIF Asia, Opening Doors to Investors
9.9.2024 19:14:00 CEST | Business Wire | Press release
Saudi Arabia is rapidly establishing itself as a global leader in tourism, with the Kingdom’s remarkable achievements in 2023 setting a new benchmark for the industry. This progress was on full display at the IHIF Asia International Hospitality Investment Forum in Hong Kong, where the Saudi Ministry of Tourism highlighted the vast potential for international investors to capitalize on the Kingdom’s rapidly expanding and diverse tourism sector.
This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240909793097/en/
Tareq Al-Shaghrood, General Manager of Investment Planning and Attraction, speaking at IHIF Asia (Photo: AETOSWire)
Saudi Arabia’s strategic location at the crossroads of three continents and its strong economic ties with Asia underscore its potential as a global tourism hub. In 2023, the Kingdom welcomed over 20.9 million tourists from Asia, who collectively spent $25.7 billion. This significant influx highlights the increasing confidence Asian markets have in Saudi Arabia’s tourism potential and the lucrative opportunities it presents for investors. The Kingdom's appeal to Asian travelers is further evidenced by the substantial growth in tourism receipts, reflecting the strong demand for Saudi Arabia as a diverse and culturally rich destination.
To capitalize on this momentum, the Kingdom has introduced the Tourism Investment Enablers Program (TIEP), with the Hospitality Investment Enablers (HIE) initiative serving as a cornerstone. HIE is designed to significantly boost accommodation capacity in key tourism areas, driving private investments up to $11 billion and increasing the annual GDP by $4.3 billion by 2030. The initiative also aims to create 120,000 new jobs, supporting Saudi Arabia’s broader economic diversification goals. Key incentives include corporate tax exemptions, VAT reductions, and access to government-owned land under favorable terms, making it easier and more cost-effective for investors to enter the market.
A highlight of Saudi Arabia’s participation at IHIF Asia was the panel discussion titled "Invest, Enable, Prosper: Empowering Tourism Destinations." This fireside chat, led by Mr. Tareq Al-Shaghrood, General Manager of Investment Planning & Attraction at the Saudi Ministry of Tourism, explored the Kingdom's strategic approach to developing a world-class, diverse tourism ecosystem. "Saudi Arabia's commitment to creating a wide array of tourism experiences—from cultural heritage and adventure tourism to luxury and eco-tourism—is underpinned by a robust framework of incentives and support for investors. Our vision is to enable and empower those who join us in this transformative journey, ensuring prosperity for all stakeholders," Al-Shaghrood stated.
Saudi Arabia's international tourism performance in 2023 was impressive, ranking 14th globally in international arrivals—an improvement of 11 positions since 2019. The Kingdom also ranked 12th globally in international tourism receipts, moving up 15 positions compared to 2019. According to the UN Tourism Barometer (May 2024), Saudi Arabia ranked first among the best-performing large tourism destinations in terms of the growth rate of international arrivals and tourism receipts compared to pre-pandemic levels.
As Saudi Arabia continues its ascent as a leading tourism destination, the Kingdom invites investors worldwide to seize the opportunity to be part of this extraordinary transformation. With its robust infrastructure, strategic location, and unwavering commitment to sustainable growth, Saudi Arabia offers unmatched prospects for those looking to invest in a rapidly evolving and highly rewarding market.
*Source: AETOSWire
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240909793097/en/
Contacts
Najla AlKhalifa
Najla AlKhalifa
Senior Communications Advisor
Najla@mt.gov.sa
Subscribe to releases from Business Wire
Subscribe to all the latest releases from Business Wire by registering your e-mail address below. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Latest releases from Business Wire
Novotech Strengthens Presence in Japan with Opening of Tokyo Office24.8.2026 01:01:00 CEST | Press release
Novotech, a leading global biotech CRO and full-service clinical research organization, has strengthened its established presence in Japan with the opening of a new office in Tokyo. The investment builds on Novotech’s existing operations and clinical trial activity in Japan and further enhances its ability to support Japanese biopharma companies as they advance programs regionally and across key international markets. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260823592174/en/ Takeshi Mori, Novotech Country Head, Japan The Tokyo office will serve as a strategic hub for Novotech’s growing operations in Japan, providing enhanced local expertise and strengthening collaboration with clients, partners, research institutions, and innovation ecosystems across the region. Novotech is currently supporting ongoing studies in Japan and provides sponsors with integrated support across early-phase clinical development in Australia, F
FDA Authorizes ZYN ULTRA Nicotine Pouches Following Scientific Review21.8.2026 21:11:00 CEST | Press release
Authorizations add selection of ZYN ULTRA products to PMI U.S.’s growing portfolio of better alternatives for legal-age adults who smoke or use traditional oral tobacco products Philip Morris International Inc. (NYSE: PM) today announces that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued Marketing Granted Orders to PMI’s U.S. affiliate, Swedish Match USA, Inc., authorizing the marketing of 11 ZYN ULTRA moist oral nicotine pouch products, including all 9mg variants and one 11mg variant. Additional 11mg variants remain under scientific review. Today’s action further enhances PMI’s leadership role in the smoke-free category. “We are delighted with the FDA’s decision to authorize a range of ZYN ULTRA products, which will build on ZYN’s position as America’s leading smoke-free product brand,” said Stacey Kennedy, PMI U.S. CEO. “We look forward to expanding our portfolio of better choices for the 45 million Americans who consume nicotine products.” ZYN ULTRA positions the brand to furth
58% of Consumers Say They Don't Care Whether a Product is a National Brand or Private Label. They Just Buy What They Need21.8.2026 12:00:00 CEST | Press release
New NIQ & World Data Lab report reveals how consumer polarization is redefining value, accelerating private label adoption, and reshaping competition on the shelf As fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) prices rose 26% globally between 2021 and 2025, consumers have become more deliberate about where they save and where they spend. NielsenIQ (NYSE: NIQ) has released new findings showing that private label is no longer viewed simply as a lower-cost substitute, but as a credible competitor across value, mainstream, and premium segments. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260819950224/en/ Private label is no longer just a value play. The findings, published in NIQ’s latest report, A Tale of Two Consumers: The Polarized Mindsets Reshaping Global Consumption, created in collaboration with World Data Lab, show how consumer polarization is redefining value and reshaping competition on the shelf. The report also draws on ins
Tanium Reappoints Co-Founder Orion Hindawi as CEO to Drive Next Chapter of Growth20.8.2026 21:10:00 CEST | Press release
Company to focus on deepening its Autonomous IT capabilities, further expanding AI offerings across its portfolio, and strengthening customer and partner engagement Tanium, a leader in Autonomous IT, today announced that Co-Founder and Executive Chairman Orion Hindawi has been appointed Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately. Dan Streetman is stepping down as CEO and as a member of the Board after leading Tanium for the last three years, during which time Tanium scaled its go-to-market operations and secured strong industry analyst recognition for innovation within the Tanium platform. Streetman will continue to advise Tanium as part of the transition and co-founder David Hindawi will return to the role of Chairman of the Board. With this foundation in place, this transition positions Tanium to deepen its Autonomous IT capabilities and further expand AI offerings across its portfolio and strengthen customer and partner engagement. The Hindawis co-founded Tanium in 2007 to build
PCI Energy Solutions to Join Mitsubishi Electric, Reinforcing Long-Term Commitment to Customers, Employees, and the Energy Industry20.8.2026 19:46:00 CEST | Press release
Mitsubishi Electric to retain PCI’s core management team and support continuity of operations, customer service, and product innovation PCI Energy Solutions ("PCI"), a leading U.S.-based provider of enterprise software for energy management and optimization, announced today that it has entered into a definitive agreement to be acquired by Mitsubishi Electric Corporation. The agreement was executed on August 20, 2026 (Japan Standard Time). The Transaction represents a strong endorsement of PCI's business, technology, employees, customer relationships and position in the energy industry. Mitsubishi Electric intends to retain PCI's core management team following completion of the Transaction, enabling PCI to preserve leadership continuity, industry expertise and its customer-focused operating model while benefiting from Mitsubishi Electric's global scale, complementary capabilities and long-term investment capacity. The agreement has been signed, but the Transaction has not yet closed. PC
In our pressroom you can read all our latest releases, find our press contacts, images, documents and other relevant information about us.
Visit our pressroom