Minister of Tourism Ahmed Al-Khatib
Minister of Tourism Ahmed Al-Khatib said that Saudi Arabia is working to add more than 250,000 hotel rooms over the next five to seven years to host Expo 2030 and the World Cup in 2034.
Speaking during in a panel discussion at the Saudi House on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum 2026, the minister added that the private sector is driving the tourism sector, highlighting the government’s role is to regulate while the private sector builds, operates, and invests in experiences, hotels, airports, and airlines.
He further noted that the private sector is a key partner in the tourism sector, with the government working closely with the private sector to ensure that new regulations enable the private sector to grow.
The biggest challenge lies in the availability of aircraft to meet tourism needs, with airlines having to wait up to nine years to obtain their aircraft, said Al-Khatib.
He indicated that Saudi Arabia is considered a model example in preserving the human element in the tourism sector, which is important in the sector and must be protected and not replaced by technology.
Minister of Tourism Ahmed Al-Khatib
Minister of Tourism Ahmed Al-Khatib said that Saudi Arabia is working to add more than 250,000 hotel rooms over the next five to seven years to host Expo 2030 and the World Cup in 2034.
Speaking during in a panel discussion at the Saudi House on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum 2026, the minister added that the private sector is driving the tourism sector, highlighting the government’s role is to regulate while the private sector builds, operates, and invests in experiences, hotels, airports, and airlines.
He further noted that the private sector is a key partner in the tourism sector, with the government working closely with the private sector to ensure that new regulations enable the private sector to grow.
The biggest challenge lies in the availability of aircraft to meet tourism needs, with airlines having to wait up to nine years to obtain their aircraft, said Al-Khatib.
He indicated that Saudi Arabia is considered a model example in preserving the human element in the tourism sector, which is important in the sector and must be protected and not replaced by technology.
