Princess Haifa Highlights Saudi Arabia’s Global Leadership in Tourism at G20 Summit in South Africa
Mpumalanga, The Gulf Observer: Saudi Deputy Minister of Tourism Princess Haifa bint Mohammed underscored Saudi Arabia’s pivotal role in shaping the future of global tourism during her participation in the Tourism Investment Summit, held for the first time in Mpumalanga and Cape Town, South Africa.
Princess Haifa attended both the G20 Tourism Ministerial Meeting and the Tourism Investment Summit, reaffirming the Kingdom’s commitment to sustainable and inclusive tourism while strengthening its position as a global leader in the sector.
“Tourism has the power to change lives, transform economies, and bring the world closer together. Through Saudi Vision 2030, we are demonstrating that tourism is not only a driver of economic prosperity but also a catalyst for inclusive social progress. But this potential can only be realized if we act boldly and collaboratively,” she said in her address to delegates.
Highlighting shared priorities, the deputy minister praised the G20’s commitment to advancing tourism growth and embedding sustainability at the core of international efforts. “The lesson from South Africa and Saudi Arabia is clear: lasting transformation happens when we share ideas and build together. This is why we created TOURISE, the first-ever global platform for action, year-round collaboration, and meaningful impact. We invite the world to join us this November to design and deliver the future of tourism in partnership,” she added.
As a permanent member of the G20 Tourism Ministerial Meeting, Saudi Arabia played a central role in shaping the final ministerial declaration, ensuring key issues such as sustainability, digital transformation, inclusivity, and skills development were prioritized in global tourism policy.
On behalf of Minister of Tourism Ahmed Al-Khateeb, Princess Haifa also hosted a TOURISE-sponsored ministerial dinner, inviting delegates to the inaugural TOURISE gathering — a platform that will bring together public and private leaders, innovators, and investors to chart a new global tourism agenda for decades ahead.
Saudi Arabia’s tourism sector continues to record remarkable growth, welcoming 116 million domestic and international visitors in 2024 — a 6 percent increase over the previous year — and surpassing its Vision 2030 target of 100 million annual visitors for the second consecutive year.
This expansion is underpinned by major investments in destinations, flight routes, airport capacity, and world-class tourism infrastructure, including giga-projects such as NEOM, Qiddiya, and Diriyah. These initiatives are positioning the Kingdom as a global hub for tourism, investment, and innovation across hospitality, cultural heritage, entertainment, and sports tourism.
Through sustainable development, empowerment of national talent, and strategic partnerships with leading global organizations, Saudi Arabia continues to set new benchmarks for a resilient and inclusive tourism sector, ensuring lasting economic and social impact both domestically and internationally.
