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Tourism as economic infrastructure
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Tourismus muss als wirtschaftliche Infrastruktur geführt werden, um Wachstum und Widerstandsfähigkeit zu fördern, so Saudi-Arabiens Tourismusminister auf dem Weltwirtschaftsforum
Prnewswire· 2026-01-24 23:20
Core Message - The tourism sector must be treated as economic infrastructure to foster growth, resilience, and human connections in a fragmented world [1][2][3] Group 1: Tourism as Economic Infrastructure - Tourism should no longer be seen as a discretionary sector but as a strategic system that supports diversification, attracts long-term investments, and creates inclusive jobs across regions [2] - With an estimated 2 billion international arrivals by 2030, the focus should be on responsible development rather than mere growth [3] - The tourism sector contributes nearly 5% to Saudi Arabia's direct GDP and employs over 1 million people [4] Group 2: Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 - Saudi Arabia has positioned tourism as a cornerstone of its economic transformation, aiming for 150 million incoming visitors by 2030, up from 30 million in 2025 [4] - Projects like AlUla, Diriyah, and the Red Sea are examples of a comprehensive approach to destination development focused on safety, sustainability, governance, and quality of life [5] Group 3: Global Initiatives and Collaboration - The "Beyond Tourism" initiative aims to elevate tourism to a leadership agenda at the system level, aligning policy, capital, and innovation in sustainability, integration, resilience, and investment [6] - TOURISE, a global platform, has mobilized over 113 billion USD in tourism-related investments and brought together nearly 10,000 leaders from over 100 countries [8] Group 4: Economic Impact and Global Role - The travel and tourism sector accounts for about 10% of global GDP and provides over 357 million jobs, making it one of the most inclusive sectors in the global economy [9] - Tourism plays a crucial role in fostering interpersonal exchange, especially during times of geopolitical tension, and can serve as a stabilizing force for peace [13] Group 5: Call to Action - Governments and global institutions are urged to prioritize tourism in economic and infrastructure policies to enhance its role in promoting growth, resilience, and international cooperation [11][12]