Presentation on Tourism Dynamics in KSA Under Prof. Rashid Faridi, Dept. of Geography, A.M.U

1. DYNAMICS OF TOURISM IN
KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARABIA

2. INTRODUCTION
• UNWTO defined Tourism as "Tourism comprises the activities of persons traveling
to and staying in places outside their usual environment for not more than one
consecutive year for leisure, business and other purposes.“
• Tourism is different from travel
• An individual has to travel, using any type of means of transportation
Tourism brings many benefits:
• Growth and boost in Economic
activities
• Boost wide scale industry revenues
• Infrastructure development
• Country's improved brand image
• Source of foreign exchange earnings
• Source of employment generation

3. TOURISM IN KSA
 In Middle-East region, leisure is rare and often
seen as “culturally undesirable and economically
unnecessary”
 In the last ten years, the region has become one
of the fast-growing tourist destinations in the
world and has in possession various world-class
tourist attractions .
 Tourism is being now considered as a driving
force that leads to progress and development.
 In Saudi Arabia, religious tourism is very
important due to the location of the two holiest
sites in Islam.
 Tourism is now Saudi Arabia’s third largest in
industry after energy and manufacturing, and has
recently emerged as the second most important
in terms of foreign exchange earnings and job
creation.
Inbound Trips (2011)
Religion
40%
Domestic Trips (2011)
Leisure
45.4%

4. AIMS OF THE STUDY
• This study aims at recognizing the shift from religious tourism to leisure tourism over the
years..
• There is growth in the leisure tourism sector. As the tourism sector has been largely boosted
lately, the sector is expected to be the white oil for Saudi Arabia
• Tourism industry also aims to raise the level of tourist expenditure through qualitative
improvements to the product portfolio and diversify the range of tourism products and
services.
• It also studies the limiting factors which acts as a hindrance in the growth of tourism industry
such as :
i. Dependency tax
ii. Religious and Conservative Society
iii. Strict Dress Code for women
iv. VISA Policies

5. OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY
To identify the factors that attracts people to the Kingdom.
To examine and assess the untapped tourist destinations in the
Kingdom for future development of tourism.
To determine the preference of Saudis and foreigners in the
country in terms of their needs.
To identify the reasons behind the lack of awareness about Saudi
tourism.
To provide suggestions and recommendations for development of
tourism sector in the Kingdom.

6. METHODOLOGY
The data collected for this Study is from various secondary sources such as
• research papers, journals, articles
• data statistics given by the Saudi Government, General Authority for
Statistics of Saudi Arabia
The method used in the study is descriptive and analytical as well as quantitative
research.
HYPOTHESIS
1. If awareness about tourism destination of Saudi were increased by advertising and
marketing strategy the number of tourists both local and foreigners will increase.
2. If the government eases visa restriction, the number of visitors will increase in Saudi
Arabia.
3. If the Government opens tourism information outlets in malls and shopping areas,
tourism awareness will increase automatically

7. ANALYSIS
Based on the Hypothesis, following
results were made:
 There is a wide difference in the
percentage of visitors between the
East and West regions and the other
Saudi regions .
 There is a definite need for the Saudi
government to ease the visa process
like other Arab countries to give the
opportunity for foreigners to see the
Kingdom as a tourist destination.
8%
10%
73%
9%
MOST VISITED
REGIONS
NORTHERN
WESTERN EASTERN
SOUTHERN

8. CONT.
 There is less information that
is currently available to
highlight the attractions that
the kingdom of the Saudi
Arabia has at present. 7
29
60
34
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
information is
avalaible
somewhat
available
barely
avalaible
not at all
availaible
Showing availability of information
From observation and Data analysis, it is inferred that foreigners as well are
local are not aware about various tourist places of Saudi Arab. This acts as
hindrance in the development of tourism industry and overall economic
growth.

9. RESULTS
• Accounting for over $20-30 billion in
revenues worldwide, the pilgrimage to
Makkah, has no peer in the travel and
tourism industry. Over half of foreign
tourists to Saudi Arabia are arriving for the
purposes of religious pilgrimage
• Even as the Saudi government invests heavily
in infrastructure to support the influx of
religious pilgrims, the physical capacity of the
holy sites in Mecca can “only” accommodate
approximately 2.5 million pilgrims.
• The infrastructure around the holy sites is
bound by limitations as well.
• Deeply conservative and often distrusting
of visitors, it’s been largely closed to
leisure tourists since a limited pilot scheme
between 2006 and 2010.
• Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 Plan also aims
to reduce its dependence on oil, with
tourism a key part of the change.
• Not short of investment funds, the
kingdom is turning 50 Red Sea islands
into luxury beach resorts.
• The kingdom’s historic and natural sites
should also attract interest from the
outside world.
RELIGIOUS INFLOW LEISURE INFLOW

10. INSIGHTS
Although there is increase in leisure in flow of tourist but eventually every year
religious tourism bags it. There are some factors by which the industry is not
developing at a successful rate.
1. VISA Policies
2. Local traditions, Customs, laws and religion
3. Dress code
4. Driving
5. Illegal Relations with opposite gender
6. Consuming Alcohol and Pork
7. Photography
8. Place of residence
9. Language Barrier

11. NEW DEVELOPMENTS IN THE
KINGDOM
 Promoting MICE (meeting, incentives, conferences and exhibition)
 Culture and Heritage Tourism
 Sports Tourism
 Ecotourism
 Recreational and Festival Tourism
 Shopping Tourism
 Exploration and Adventure Tourism
 Health Tourism
 Training and Education Tourism
 Agricultural and Farm Tourism

12. CONCLUSION
 With well managed and developed tourism in Saudi Arab, Saudis as well as
foreigners will get an opportunity to see rich heritages and resources within
Saudi Arabia.
 The quality of service provided by hotels, restaurants, and travel agencies
often remain disappointing which needs to be improved.
 There ‘s urgent need for vocational and executive training in the hospitality
and tourism areas
 Leading hotels, restaurants and travel agencies should also encourage their
staff to register for professional certification and upgrade their skills and
competences.
 Intensified marketing is necessary with scope for greater collaboration
between the public and private sector .

13. Cont.
 Natural heritage should be supported by awareness, knowledge, professional
administration and effective framework for the tourism industry.
 The government as well as airlines, hotels and travel agents has to work in tandem to
develop & improve the infrastructure of various tourist spot
 There is policy conflict between the government departments and the tourism private
agencies,
 There’s lack of effective administration, regulation and institutional frameworks of
tourism activity.
 The Medical facility, Transportation, accessibility & hygiene should be checked.
 Ease in tourist Visas, Language barrier, ease strict rules for women, freedom to live
freely etc. should be maintained.

14. T H A N K Y O U
M A R H A B A