According to data from ATM’s research partner Colliers, international arrivals to Saudi Arabia are expected to increase 5,6 percent per year from 17,7 million in 2018 to 23,3 million in 2023.

Religious tourism is expected to remain the bedrock of the sector over the next decade, with a goal of attracting 30 million pilgrims to the Kingdom by 2030, an increase of 11 million from the 19 million Hajj and Umrah pilgrims that visited the country in 2017.

Danielle Curtis, exhibition Director ME, ATM, said, “At ATM, we are witnessing this growth first hand with the total number of delegates arriving from Saudi Arabia increasing 42 percent between 2017 and 2018, while 33 percent of delegates, exhibitors and attendees were interested in doing business with the Kingdom.”

Vision 2030 has set aside USD64 billion to invest in culture, leisure and entertainment projects over the next decade, which will significantly add to the attractiveness of the country as a touristic destination, according to a recent report from real estate firm Savills.