Minister of Tourism stresses promising investment opportunities in tourism sector during his meeting with investors in the Asharqia Chamber
On Wednesday, October 9, 2024, His Excellency the Minister of Tourism, Mr. Ahmed bin Aqeel Al-Khateeb, met with a number of investors and entrepreneurs during his visit to the Eastern Province. His Excellency was received by the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Asharqia Chamber, Badr bin Suleiman Al-Rizaiza. During the meeting, His Excellency reviewed the great opportunities available for investment in the tourism sector. His Excellency pointed out that the Eastern Province is one of the most prominent tourist destinations in the Kingdom, and represents a unique model in the field of tourism due to its geographical diversity and the beaches of the Arabian Gulf in all its governorates, in addition to the historical and heritage dimension of the region, noting that the Ministry is keen to strengthen its partnership with the private sector as the main driver of the tourism sector. His Excellency the Minister Al-Khateeb explained that encouraging investments and providing facilities to investors is one of the most prominent files carried out by the Ministry, noting that the investment enablers program in the tourism sector; It is one of the initiatives aimed at encouraging investors to invest their capital in the sector, as it works to reduce the cost of government fees in the hospitality sector by 22%, noting that the decision to stop municipal fees on hospitality facilities is an additional step towards encouraging investments in tourism projects.
The Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Asharqia Chamber, Badr bin Suleiman Al-Rizaiza, said that the Eastern Province is considered one of the most prominent tourist destinations in the Kingdom, and is rich in many activities, destinations and experiences that vary between cultural, heritage and beach tourism paths, and pointed to the ideal places that characterize the region and what it provides in terms of marine destinations and ideal family parks, and natural elements that help establish various activities.
Al-Rizaiza explained that the Eastern Province has a unique cultural heritage, as it embraces the Al-Ahsa Oasis, which is considered the largest palm oasis in the world, and includes historical sites such as Ibrahim Palace, and the Al-Ahsa Museum, which tells the history and culture of the region, in addition to popular markets such as: Al-Qaisariya Market, which displays handicrafts and local products.
The region also includes many open wilderness areas, whether in Al-Nuairyah or the Saman Desert, and others, which reflect the culture of the region and the diversity of its tourist destinations, in addition to enjoying an economic legacy represented by the industrial cities of Jubail 1 and 2 and Ras Al-Khair, which are distinguished by providing the most important mining and marine industries in the world.
Al-Rizaiza added that tourism in the Eastern Province is a major driver of development, stressing that the Kingdom's Vision 2030 and its capabilities and programs have greatly helped in making it an ideal destination for travelers and its effects have extended to society and the economic and environmental sectors, as tourism contributes to increasing revenues through visitors' spending on accommodation, restaurants and shopping, and providing direct and indirect job opportunities in areas such as: hospitality, transportation, services, and improving infrastructure. Al-Raziza explained that the meeting of His Excellency the Minister of Tourism reviewed many of the shared ambitions between the Ministry and the business sector and was characterized by high positivity that will directly reflect on the Eastern Province and contribute to raising the quality of life in the region.
The Eastern Province has a number of projects within the Tourism Development Fund portfolio, as 17 projects have been approved with a total value exceeding 12.7 billion riyals, which will contribute to providing more than 2,200 hotel rooms in the region. The number of projects approved by the Fund has reached 10 projects with a value exceeding 10.6 billion riyals, which will add more than 1,400 hotel rooms.
The data also revealed the tourism figures in the Eastern Province that the total number of local and expatriate tourists who visited the region during the past year 2023 AD exceeded 19 million tourists, while the total tourist spending amounted to 27.8 billion riyals, an increase of 27%.
