THE TRANSFORMATION: VISION 2030 •
2019: e-visas open the doors to global travellers
SAUDI OPENS TO THE WORLD
SEPTEMBER National tourism strategy launched Saudi Arabia sets out a tourism strategy aligned with Vision 2030, targeting major visitor growth and global investment. Giga- projects become the centrepiece of the Kingdom’s tourism expansion. SEPTEMBER E-visas open the doors to global travellers Saudi Arabia opens tourist e-visas for citizens of 49 countries, opening the kingdom to international leisure travel for the first time. The move marks a historic turning point for inbound tourism.
OCTOBER I naugural Riyadh Season kicks off
The first Riyadh Season festival arrives with concerts, entertainment and large-scale attractions across the capital. The event quickly becomes one of the region’s biggest tourism drivers.
2019
2020
BUILDING A GLOBAL TOURISM BRAND
2020: Hegra launched as major attraction to global audience
MARCH Saudi Tourism Authority and Visit Saudi launched
Saudi Arabia creates the Saudi Tourism Authority (STA) to promote the kingdom as a global tourism destination, develop tourism products and foster partnerships to support this mandate. It manages the consumer-facing Visit Saudi brand, launched at the same time. The government establishes the Tourism Development Fund with SAR15 billion (US$4 billion) in capital to support tourism investment. The fund becomes a key enabler for hotels, attractions and tourism-related infrastructure. OCTOBER AlUla sites fully reopen AlUla reopens major heritage sites including Hegra and Dadan as year-round attractions. This elevates the region’s status as a luxury cultural tourism destination. JUNE Tourism Development Fund created
DECEMBER Winter at Tantora debuts
AlUla launches its first major international festival, attracting global performers and visitors to the historic desert region. The event helps position AlUla as a year-round cultural destination.
2018: the PIF unveils AMAALA
SPOTLIGHT RIYADH | 13
Made with FlippingBook Digital Proposal Creator