meed-logo

line1 line2 line3
SIGN IN / REGISTER

Saudi tourism numbers cross 100 million

22 February 2024

Saudi Arabia has confirmed that it met its target for the tourism sector by welcoming 100 million tourists in 2023.

The landmark announcement was made by Tourism Minister Ahmed Bin Aqeel Al Khateeb at the Private Sector Forum held by the Public Investment Fund (PIF) in Riyadh in early February. 

The kingdom has outperformed expectations. When tourism e-visas were first launched in the country in September 2019, the aim of Riyadh’s National Tourism Strategy was for the kingdom to receive 100 million visits a year by 2030, compared to about 41 million at the time. 

Al Khateeb also revealed that the tourist numbers comprise 77 million domestic and 27 million international visitors, generating revenues of SR100bn ($27bn) for the kingdom. 

Saudi Arabia wants more growth, with the minister outlining future tourism plans that include increasing tourist numbers to 150 million by the year 2030, with a split of 80 million domestic and 70 million international tourists. 

The minister also disclosed Saudi Arabia’s investment in human capital within the tourism sector. Over 100,000 young people received training in 2023, with 15,000 of them attending premier institutes globally to prepare for careers in tourism. 

This initiative is part of a broader commitment to enhancing the sector’s workforce capabilities and is supported by the Human Resources Development Fund’s efforts to improve salary structures. 

Al Khateeb also emphasised the importance of fostering a conducive environment for investment in tourism. 

He pointed to the establishment of the Tourism Development Fund, which has already financed more than 50 projects with a total investment of SR35bn. Over the past year, it has signed several deals and agreements with hotel investors and operators such as Hyatt, Radisson Hotel Group and Minor Hotels for the development of new properties in the kingdom.

Al Khateeb pointed to the establishment of the Tourism Development Fund, which has already financed more than 50 projects with a total investment of SR35bn

Hotel pipeline

Saudi Arabia’s tourism strategy is supported by a robust pipeline of hotel developments. While some of these are being developed by pure private sector developers, the majority are being built by the PIF subsidiaries that are leading the development of major projects across the kingdom, including the five official gigaprojects. 

Over the past two months, there has been a raft of hotel projects launched in the kingdom, most notably for the Gulf of Aqaba development at Neom. They include Zardun, which will be a 4 square- kilometre tourism destination featuring three luxury boutique hotels comprising 100 rooms and suites. 

In November, Neom also launched Siranna, a 65-key hotel in the Gulf of Aqaba.

Other hotel projects are at the tendering stage. For example, Saudi Arabia’s Destinations Development Company, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the PIF, has issued a tender for the main contract to build the Monolith resort in the Al Ula region, and the Mohammed Bin Salman Foundation (Misk Foundation) has invited companies to bid for a contract to construct an Indigo-branded hotel and serviced apartments at Prince Mohammed Bin Salman Nonprofit City in Riyadh.

According to regional projects tracker MEED Projects, there are $67bn-worth of hotel schemes in the kingdom at various stages of development. There are projects estimated to be worth $11bn in the study phase and $27bn-worth of projects under construction. 

For construction contract awards, the hotel sector’s performance has been mixed. The past five years have been pivotal, with a total of $8.6bn in contracts awarded, the bulk of which came in the past two years. 

After a lull between 2018 and 2021, there was a spike in 2022, with $3.8bn-worth of contract awards as development accelerated on key projects in the kingdom, such as The Red Sea Project, which includes a wide range of hotel properties. 

In 2023, there were $2bn-worth of hotel construction contract awards, as the kingdom maintained a high level of investment in the sector, albeit at a lower level than in 2022. For 2024, by early February there had been $168m-worth of hotel construction contract awards.

Welcoming guests

The first hotels at Saudi Arabia’s gigaprojects, which aim to transform the kingdom’s economy by developing sectors such as tourism, have opened for business. 

In October last year, Red Sea Global, which is developing The Red Sea Project and Amaala, welcomed guests to the Six Senses Southern Dunes, the first hotel to open at the destination.

Other gigaprojects with significant hotel components include Neom, the cultural and historical destination of Diriyah, and Qiddiya entertainment city. 

Hotels also form a critical part of the development of Al Ula; the holy cities of Mecca and Medina, which receive the majority of the kingdom’s religious tourists; and other destinations including Jeddah and regions such as Asir. 

 

https://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/11540041/main.gif
Colin Foreman

Register for MEED's guest program now to access this article.

Click here to register
Exclusive from Meed
Related Articles
  • Populous wins Bahrain Sports City contract

    21 April 2026

     

    US-based engineering firm Populous has won a BD5m ($13.5m) contract for the Sports City development at Sakhir in Bahrain.

    The contract was awarded by Bahrain’s Ministry of Works, Municipalities Affairs & Urban Planning.

    The scope covers pre-contract consultancy services, including finalising the masterplan and internal infrastructure, completing phase 1A design works and preparing tender documents.

    Populous is a specialist sports venue designer that formerly operated as part of HOK Group.

    The contract was first tendered in 2021, when Populous emerged as the sole bidder.

    At the time, it was reported that Sports City would include Bahrain’s largest sports stadium and a multi-purpose indoor sports arena.

    The project is expected to provide renewed impetus to Bahrain’s construction and transport sector, which has struggled in recent years, with the total value of awarded contracts falling for a third consecutive year.

    According to regional project tracker MEED Projects, about $400m-worth of contracts had been awarded in Bahrain by the end of October last year – less than half the $1.2bn recorded during the same period the previous year.

    The sector has yet to return to pre-pandemic levels. Before 2020, Bahrain consistently awarded more than $2bn in contracts annually, peaking at nearly $4bn in 2016.

    Bahrain’s construction industry is forecast to record average annual growth of 4.9% in 2026-29, supported by investments in transport infrastructure and renewable energy projects aligned with Bahrain’s Economic Vision 2030.

    Vision 2030 includes the BD11.3bn ($30bn) Strategic Projects Plan, unveiled in October 2021, encompassing 22 national infrastructure projects. It also includes plans to create five new cities by 2030: Fasht Al-Jarm, Suhaila Island, Fasht Al-Azem, Bahrain Bay and the Hawar Islands.

    Growth over the forecast period is also expected to be driven by investments under the National Renewable Energy Action Plan, which targets a 30% reduction in carbon emissions by 2035, compared to 2015 levels, and aims to achieve net-zero emissions by 2060.

    READ THE APRIL 2026 MEED BUSINESS REVIEW – click here to view PDF

    Economic shock threatens long-term outlook; Riyadh adjusts to fiscal and geopolitical risk; GCC contractor ranking reflects gigaprojects slowdown.

    Distributed to senior decision-makers in the region and around the world, the April 2026 edition of MEED Business Review includes:

    > GCC CONTRACTOR RANKING: Construction guard undergoes a shift
    To see previous issues of MEED Business Review, please click here
    https://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/16487784/main.jpg
    Yasir Iqbal
  • Entries now open for MEED Projects Awards 2026

    21 April 2026

    Enter the awards

    The MEED Projects Awards in association with Mashreq 2026 have officially opened for entries, inviting companies, developers, contractors and project teams to submit their projects for the region’s most prestigious construction awards.

    For over 15 years, the MEED Projects Awards have celebrated the Middle East and North Africa’s most ambitious and transformative projects, recognising technical excellence, innovation, sustainability and delivery impact. Past editions have highlighted landmark developments that set new benchmarks for the region’s built environment, including internationally recognised projects such as Burj Khalifa and Louvre Abu Dhabi.

    “The MEED Projects Awards are the gold standard for recognising outstanding achievements in construction across Mena, showcasing the region’s technical and design excellence while bringing the industry together to celebrate and connect over the very best projects of the year,” said Ed James, head of content and research at MEED.

    “As a long-standing partner of the MEED Projects Awards, Mashreq is proud to support a programme that is recognised for its independence, credibility and industry impact. These awards celebrate projects that set benchmarks for excellence and contribute meaningfully to the region’s development,” said Arun Mathur, executive vice-president and global head of contracting finance at Mashreq.

    Winners are chosen through a rigorous, independent judging process, led by a panel of more than 50 senior industry experts representing developers, contractors, engineers and project specialists. The awards celebrate projects across a wide range of sectors, including Building, Transport, Energy, Water, Healthcare, Education, Hospitality, Culture, Industrial, Power, Small Projects and Developments.

    Being shortlisted or winning a MEED Projects Award places a project among the region’s elite, offering regional recognition, global exposure and industry credibility.

    Submissions are now open, with full category details and entry guidelines available on the official entry platform.

    https://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/16487756/main.gif
    MEED Editorial
  • Work advances on Saudi Maaden mine renewables project

    21 April 2026

     

    Local contractor Arabian Qudra Company is advancing construction works on an integrated solar photovoltaic (PV) and battery energy storage system (bess) project at the Al-Baitha bauxite mine in Saudi Arabia.

    The off-grid facility will integrate an 8MWp solar PV array with a 30MWh bess, allowing the mine to operate almost entirely on renewable energy.

    Emerge, a joint venture of Masdar and EDF Power Solutions, is developing the project, including managing financing, design, procurement, construction, operation and maintenance.

    Last August, MEED reported that Maaden Bauxite & Alumina Company (MBAC), a subsidiary of Saudi Arabian Mining Company (Maaden), had signed a 30-year power purchase agreement with Emerge to supply its Al-Baitha bauxite mine with renewable energy.

    Arabian Qudra Company was subsequently appointed as the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contractor, with works beginning at the start of 2026.

    The firm is a subsidiary of Abunayyan Holding Company, a privately owned Saudi industrial group.

    The project is expected to generate around 17,300MWh of electricity annually and provide a continuous 24/7 power supply. It will reduce carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 13,800 tonnes a year.

    According to projects tracker MEED Projects, construction is expected to be completed in early 2028.

    Maaden Solar 1

    Maaden is also in the early stages of developing Maaden Solar 1, potentially the world’s largest solar process heat plant. 

    MEED previously reported that US-based GlassPoint had partnered with Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Investment as a first step towards construction of the planned $1.5bn project.

    In 2025, Spain-headquartered Cox Energy signed a collaboration agreement with the client to participate in the project. The client had been expected to invest approximately $31.1m in the first phase of the project.

    Once complete, Maaden Solar 1 will be a 1,500 megawatt-thermal (MWth) facility. A timeline for the project remains unclear, with construction not expected to begin until at least 2027.

    READ THE APRIL 2026 MEED BUSINESS REVIEW – click here to view PDF

    Economic shock threatens long-term outlook; Riyadh adjusts to fiscal and geopolitical risk; GCC contractor ranking reflects gigaprojects slowdown.

    Distributed to senior decision-makers in the region and around the world, the April 2026 edition of MEED Business Review includes:

    > GCC CONTRACTOR RANKING: Construction guard undergoes a shift
    To see previous issues of MEED Business Review, please click here
    https://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/16487404/main.jpg
    Mark Dowdall
  • Egypt to build Olympic Village project on Red Sea

    21 April 2026

    Egypt has moved to back a major new sports development on the Red Sea coast, officially assigning a 225-acre plot for a planned Olympic Village in the Red Sea Governorate.

    The site is located opposite the resort destination of El-Gouna, giving the project access to an established tourism corridor.

    The development is intended to strengthen Egypt’s ambition to become a hub for international sports tourism, with facilities designed to support large-scale regional and global championships.

    Plans include stadiums and purpose-built arenas designed to meet Olympic-level requirements, enabling the complex to accommodate multiple sports and event formats.

    To support visiting delegations and spectators, the Olympic Village is expected to include on-site hospitality facilities, including a hotel.

    The project is intended to operate as an integrated, self-contained destination capable of staging regional and international tournaments, while also leveraging the Red Sea’s year-round appeal for camps, friendlies and seasonal training programmes.

    According to UK analytics firm GlobalData, Egypt’s residential construction sector is expected to grow by 8.3% from 2026 to 2029, supported by investments in the housing sector and the government’s focus on addressing the country’s growing housing deficit amid a rising population.

    The commercial construction sector is expected to register real-term growth of 6.6% in 2026-29, supported by a rebound in the tourism and hospitality markets and an improvement in investment in office buildings and wholesale and retail trade activities.

    https://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/16485900/main.jpg
    Yasir Iqbal
  • Algeria launches oil and gas licensing round

    21 April 2026

    Algeria has launched a new bid round offering seven exploration blocks to international companies.

    The round was launched by the National Agency for the Valorisation of Hydrocarbon Resources (Alnaft), which manages and regulates the upstream oil and gas sector in the country.

    The blocks are located in the regions of Ouargla, Illizi, Touggourt and El-Bayadh. Both oil and gas assets are included.

    The blocks on offer are:

    • Est Bordj Omar Driss 1
    • Illizi Centre 1
    • El-M’Zaid Nord
    • El-Borma 2
    • El-Hadjira 3
    • El-Benoud Est
    • Touggourt Sud

    Technical evaluation of bids will cover exploration, development and production optimisation plans.

    All bids – except those for Est Bordj Omar Driss 1– will also be assessed against financial criteria, including the bidder’s participation rate in financing upstream operations.

    Successful bidders will access the assets through contracts with Sonatrach, either via production service agreements or participation agreements, depending on the block.

    Algeria is currently seeing an uptick in demand for its gas exports due to the disruption to exports from Qatar and the UAE in the wake of the US and Israel’s attack on Iran on 28 February.

    READ THE APRIL 2026 MEED BUSINESS REVIEW – click here to view PDF

    Economic shock threatens long-term outlook; Riyadh adjusts to fiscal and geopolitical risk; GCC contractor ranking reflects gigaprojects slowdown.

    Distributed to senior decision-makers in the region and around the world, the April 2026 edition of MEED Business Review includes:

    > GCC CONTRACTOR RANKING: Construction guard undergoes a shift
    To see previous issues of MEED Business Review, please click here
    https://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/16478927/main.png
    Wil Crisp