Dubai: As Saudi Arabia forges ahead with Vision 2030, with tourism earmarked as a key
economic driver, tourism and travel leaders from the Kingdom convened at the ATM
2021 Saudi Arabia Tourism Summit on the Global Stage yesterday to discuss the
strategy’s positive repercussions for the country, its people, investors and millions of
global travellers.
Addressing a capacity crowd at the in-person ATM 2021, the region’s largest travel and
tourism showcase, were Fahd Hamidaddin, CEO, Saudi Tourism Authority, Majed
Alnefaie, Acting CEO of Seera, Captain Ibrahim Koshy, CEO, Saudi Arabian Airlines
(SAUDIA), and Dr Afnan Al Shuaiby, Founder and CEO of FNN International and Chair
of the Arab International Women’s Forum.
The audience heard how Saudi Arabia is preparing to reopen its borders for foreign
tourists imminently, and it is well on its way to realising its ambition for attracting 100
million tourists per year by 2030.
Fahd Hamidaddin, CEO of Saudi Tourism Authority, discussed the Kingdom’s response
to the coronavirus pandemic, having just opened up to international tourism in
September 2019: “While the travel and tourism sector was paralysed globally, Saudi
Arabia kept moving. Although the priority was to save lives, we were also committed to
protecting livelihoods and saving jobs through our successful domestic tourism
campaign, which resulted in a 33% increase in spending, hotel occupancy was at 50%,
and the number of Destination Marketing Companies (DMCs) within the Kingdom
increased from 17 to 93.”
The domestic market strength was underscored in 2020 and Q1 2021, with SAUDIA
operating its 28 domestic airports at close to 80% of its 2019 levels, and demand
exceeding capacity at times. The numbers are expected to pick up even further with the
recent resumption of international travel for residents and citizens and the operation of
the new King Abdulaziz International Airport (KAIA) as a true regional hub.
Discussing the outlook for SAUDIA, CEO Captain Ibrahim Koshy said: “There are many
things taking place in Saudi Arabia that will accelerate a return to profit for the airline.
We will come out much leaner and stronger as a business, with expected profitability in
2024, if not earlier, as the potential market for the Kingdom continues to grow at a fast
pace. We may also see aircraft orders this year to meet that expected demand in
capacity.”
The second session of the ATM Saudi Arabia Tourism Summit on the ATM Global
Stage explored the “giga-project effect”, from developments that preserve and promote
the Kingdom’s heritage, culture and natural assets to theme parks, futuristic cities in the
desert and luxury resorts with a strong focus on sustainability.
“This was a great opportunity for panellists to reveal how the country is setting new
global industry benchmarks and for the travel trade industry to meet the business
leaders playing a pivotal role in delivering Vision 2030 by spearheading ambitious
projects that will set Saudi Arabia apart as a destination like no other,” said Danielle
Curtis, Exhibition Director ME, Arabian Travel Market,
The ATM 2021 Saudi Arabia Tourism Summit continues next week (Monday 24 May)
during ATM Virtual. With the long-term tourism outlook in Saudi Arabia more bullish than
ever, hotel industry heavyweights will discuss the vast potential for new and innovative
hospitality concepts that keep pace with this demand and fast-changing guest
demographics, now and in the future.
