Saudi Arabia’s travel and tourism sector is expected to contribute more than $81 billion to the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) by 2026, according to data from the World Travel and Tourism Council. Exhibitors are preparing to showcase what the Kingdom has to offer at this year’s Arabian Travel Market (ATM), which is being held in the Dubai World Trade Center from April 23-27.
This is being driven, in part, by domestic tourism — the number of local tourist trips inside Saudi Arabia exceeded 47.5 million last year — a 2.3 percent rise compared to 2015. Under the Saudi government’s Vision 2030, plans are afoot to increase household spending on cultural and entertainment activities inside the country, from 2.9 percent to 6 percent.
Simon Press, senior exhibition director, ATM 2017, commented: “Plans are already well underway to achieve this target. The government has appointed the board of the General Entertainment Authority, and Six Flags has revealed exciting plans to expand into the country, with the first entertainment park scheduled to open as soon as 2020-21.
“Vision 2030 also seeks to double the number of UNESCO heritage sites to encourage more domestic tourism, while both Holy Mosques have large expansion plans, with have major infrastructure works underway or in the pipeline that would assist with travel to and within these religious sites.”
Saudi exhibitors at ATM 2017 will highlight what the Kingdom has to offer and developments in the pipeline. As well as the possible Six Flags theme park, Riyadh is also expected to see the opening of two major shopping malls: Mall of Saudi, with 300,000 square meters of retail and entertainment space, a large snow park and hotels, and The Avenues Riyadh, a $1.9 billion shopping complex. Another mega project that is bound to draw Saudi tourists is Kingdom Tower in Jeddah, proposed to be the world’s next tallest building.
Colliers International’s Saudi Arabia Hospitality Market report revealed domestic tourism will grow by 7.5 percent per annum until 2020, compared to 6.1 percent for overseas visitors.
Earlier this month, Prince Sultan bin Salman, president of the Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage (SCTH), said Saudi Arabia will become “one of the biggest players” in the industry. This followed news of additional government investment in tourism totalling $800 million.
Saudi tourism to reach $81bn by 2026
Saudi tourism to reach $81bn by 2026
ALJ Motors champions Toyota SUVs’ off-road legacy
Abdul Latif Jameel Motors, the authorized distributor of Toyota vehicles in Saudi Arabia since 1955, has launched the second edition of its off-road initiative — an immersive driving experience designed to engage guests and showcase the real-world capabilities of Toyota’s SUV lineup in the Kingdom’s desert terrains. The activation takes place on weekends, starting initially in Riyadh and continuing through Jeddah, before concluding in Dammam on Jan. 24.
The multi-city activation is designed to engage guests through Toyota’s SUV lineup in fun and exciting ways, offering a hands-on opportunity to experience vehicle performance, control, and versatility. The lineup features a wide range of Toyota SUV models, including the Land Cruiser HEV Max, a hybrid vehicle built for performance. Beyond the off-road drives, the activation offers a welcoming weekend setting with supporting activities suitable for families and younger guests, creating a well-rounded experience for visitors of all ages.
Building on the success of its inaugural edition, which welcomed more than 4,500 participants and attracted over 10,000 attendees, the second edition continues to focus on meaningful guest engagement through interactive and experiential driving activities while emphasizing safety, trust, and enjoyment. Through this approach, ALJ Motors champions Toyota’s off-road legacy while creating an experience that further connects guests with Toyota’s renowned SUV lineup.
Shahad Nassier, managing director of marketing communications at ALJ Motors, said: “Following the strong response to the inaugural season, the return of this off-road experience allows us to continue engaging our guests in an authentic and exciting way. In this second edition, we have further refined the driving routes and elevated the overall experience to better serve our guests and their families. By bringing Toyota’s SUV lineup into real desert environments, we provide an opportunity for guests to experience vehicle performance firsthand, while reinforcing the values of reliability and capability that have long defined Toyota’s presence in the Kingdom.”
The experiential initiative deepens guest relationships, supports informed vehicle choice, and reflects ALJ Motors’ ongoing role in delivering reliable and diversified mobility solutions across the Kingdom, in line with Saudi Vision 2030.
Guests interested in participating in the off-road experience can register for the upcoming activations in Jeddah on Jan. 9-10, followed by Dammam on Jan. 16-17 and 23-24, through ALJ Motors’ official social channels.
