Monday, September 16, 2024 During a recent four-day visit to Hong Kong, a senior official from the Aseer Region Development Authority revealed that numerous businesses have shown significant interest in investing in Saudi Arabia’s expanding tourism and hospitality sectors. The discussions come at a pivotal time as Saudi Arabia positions itself as a leading player in global tourism through its Vision 2030 initiative. Aseer, located approximately 950 kilometers from Riyadh, is well-known for its lush forests, coastal beauty, and cooler climate due to its elevated terrain.
The region is undergoing a major transformation, with plans to develop a luxury mountain destination on the kingdom’s highest peak through the ambitious Soudah Peaks project. Spanning 81,000 square kilometers, Aseer aims to attract 9.1 million tourists by 2030.
To accommodate this influx, the region is boosting its hospitality infrastructure with plans to add 10,000 new hotel rooms. This expansion is part of a larger national effort to create a year-round tourist destination, particularly appealing as European countries face growing issues of overtourism. In 2023, Aseer emerged as Saudi Arabia’s top cultural tourism destination, recording more than half a million local trips to museums and art galleries, according to the Saudi Culture Ministry.
The region’s rich cultural offerings are expected to play a significant role in attracting international visitors as well. The official’s visit to Hong Kong i.