Millions are being spent in investments on tourism projects around the Kingdom. Are they however seeing enough of a return to encourage more investments? That depends on how many tourists these projects are attracting whether from inside the Kingdom or from other countries. That in turn depends on facilitating, marketing and providing all the necessary services and regulations that ease and simplify the process of entering the Kingdom, traveling in it and enjoying its attractions affordably and without hassle.
The International Tourism Organization report states that Saudi tourists make the largest number of Arab external tourists. It estimated that last year five million Saudi tourists traveled abroad and spent $6 billion. Saudi Arabian Airlines alone is expecting to fly 5.4 million Saudi tourists to local destinations and abroad. Tourists coming to the Kingdom were 7.3 million, according to the report, 3.5 million of whom came for Umrah, 1.3 million for Haj and 2.5 million for medical treatment and conferences.
Clearly, most tourists to the Kingdom are here for religious duties and not entertainment or shopping. The Ministry of Haj recently agreed with the Supreme Commission for Tourism to license Umrah companies to become tourism companies to facilitate the stay of Umrah visitors as tourists. A recent survey by The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Institute of Haj Research showed that 23 percent of Umrah performers arranged their travel and accommodations without signing up with an Umrah company; 77 percent came through an Umrah company.
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Related Travel Information
Foreign Affairs Canada advises against non-essential travel to this country.
Canadians travelling on business should evaluate carefully the implications for their security and safety before deciding to travel to Saudi Arabia.
There are credible reports of renewed terrorist attacks in the final planning stages in Saudi Arabia. Canadians who choose to travel to Saudi Arabia and those currently in Saudi Arabia should take all possible security precautions and should avoid large gatherings and crowded places.
Particular security precautions should be exercised when frequenting shopping malls, open markets, restaurants, pedestrian promenades, and other public areas frequented by foreigners.
Canadians in Saudi Arabia
DTCM organised study tour for Saudi travel agents
The Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) recently assisted the visit of 12 travel agents from Saudi Arabia’s port city of Jeddah and one representative from Qatar Airways who were in Dubai to acquaint themselves with its numerous attractions.
The Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) recently assisted the visit of 12 travel agents from Saudi Arabia’s port city of Jeddah and one representative from Qatar Airways who were in Dubai to acquaint themselves with its numerous attractions.
The visiting group toured some beach properties, five and four-star city
As a result of the growing interest in Dubai as an all appealing year-round tourism destination, the Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing’s (DTCM) representative office in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) has organized a workshop on Dubai in Jeddah.
The workshop helped update the Saudi travel trade professionals including representatives of tour operators and travel agents at the start of the travel season in the Kingdom.
Held to attract the Saudi travelers to Dubai, it highlighted the emirate's numerous attractions and fast ongoing developments in addition to the activities during the ongoing Dubai Summer Surprises.
It also informed the
DTCM organises study tour for Saudi travel agents
They were in Dubai to acquaint themselves with its numerous attractions as well as to promote the emirate as a tourism and commerce destination.
The visiting group toured some beach properties, five and four-star city hotels and hotel apartments for site inspections in order to get a better understanding and knowledge of the amenities available to the visitors.
In addition, they were taken on a city tour and a Dhow cruise by the department.
The DTCM Manager Missions, Mr. Hamad bin Mejren, said: 'The visit, which was made possible with the assistance of
U.S. Central Command has suspended non-essential travel for American soldiers based in Saudi Arabia.
Officials said the decision was taken amid information that Al Qaida has planned an attack in the Saudi kingdom. They said Al Qaida has sought to target Westerners, particularly Americans, to demonstrate that the movement remained a threat amid Saudi counter-insurgency efforts.
"The American Embassy in Riyad advises all American citizens living in Saudi Arabia that, in response to continued indications of operational planning for a terrorist attack or attacks in the kingdom, U.S. military personnel stationed in Saudi Arabia have been instructed to suspend all non-duty
