Saudi tourism, between messy and Messi

So Saudi Arabia could be very critical about its tourism. Each different day in no matter on-line publication I learn I see an article about tourism in Saudi Arabia. Some hyperventilating others holding issues extra actual. However the truth that Saudi bagged so many stars as ambassadors is really an indication that they’re very critical.

To be clear, sure, there are numerous attention-grabbing locations to go to in Saudi Arabia, I do know so as a result of I used to be there in 2002-3 and went completely off the overwhelmed monitor and noticed fantastic issues. It does get very chilly at night time within the desert by the way in which, so that you would possibly must layer up. However all this being stated, do folks wish to come to Saudi Arabia? Apparently I learn {that a} complete of 77.84 Million folks did go to in 2022 (right here), after all what number of of these within the Hajj and Omra versus common vacationers. Inbound tourism in line with the identical supply was 16.64 million folks. Already in 2022, non secular tourism was 37%, visiting associates and kin was 31%, enterprise was 10%… So “leisure” and “different” had been 18% solely (right here).

Now, what the dominion is doing is mainly replicating the success of Dubai. The #mydubai marketing campaign was a complete smash hit, so KSA went with #ShareYourSaudi and #السعودية_بعيونك 0 the marketing campaign’s headline is “past what you assume”. Additionally Saudi Arabia is opening the primary alcohol store for non-Muslim diplomats (OK, this disregards the main bootleg and black market alcohol market already current there) a primary within the kingdom for the reason that 1952 ban.

After Ronaldo, who performs soccer for a neighborhood membership, Messi is the second main enhance for the dominion by way of worldwide ambassadors. And sure, the star and his household are going all out selling locations to go and issues to be seen within the kingdom.

Would this entice folks to return go to KSA as vacationers? I really feel there’s something very messy (pardon the pun) within the technique.