Beyond Petro-Horizon – Saudi Arabia’s Tourism & Entertainment Vision 2030
Saudi Arabia is turning from a pilgrimage hub to a global destination under Vision 2030. Can tradition and transformation truly coexist?
At a glance
Country
Saudi Arabia
Religious Tourism GDP
US$12 billion annually
Top Giga-Project
NEOM – US$500 billion
Tourist Arrivals
100 million+
(as of 2023)
Abstract
Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 represents a transformative national strategy to reduce the Kingdom’s dependence on oil by positioning tourism as a central pillar of economic diversification. Saudi Arabia’s tourism sector has evolved from its foundation in religious pilgrimage to Mecca and Medina into a broader focus that includes leisure, cultural, and entertainment tourism. Through giga-projects such as NEOM, the Red Sea Project, and Qiddiya, the Kingdom aims to attract 100 million annual visitors and increase tourism’s contribution to 10% of GDP.
The case study highlights how Saudi Arabia balances modernization with cultural preservation, navigating tensions between economic development and religious sanctity. It examines the socioeconomic impacts of rapid urbanization, the environmental risks of mega-projects, and the cultural shifts driven by liberalization policies. This case study invites learners to critically assess Saudi Arabia’s strategic positioning in a competitive regional landscape and evaluate the long-term viability of tourism.
Photo by abdullah alallah on Unsplash
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