With the busiest time of year ahead for religious travel to Saudi Arabia, tourism in the Kingdom is in the media spotlight.
According to the Embassy of Saudi Arabia, more than 1.8 million foreign pilgrims travelled to Haj in 2011, with all evidence pointing to continued increase over the next few years.
In the first quarter of 2012 alone, 2.9 million foreign tourists visited the country, spending nearly $1.9 billion
In the first quarter of 2012 alone, 2.9 million foreign tourists visited the country, spending nearly $1.9 billion, according to a report released by the Tourism Information and Research Center. Inbound tourists represented about 77 percent of total tourists, with 23 percent spending only one night in the country.
Kuwait, Bahrain, UAE, Qatar and Egypt registered as the top five countries sending tourists to Saudi Arabia during Q1, with domestic tourists also an important contributor to tourism receipts.
Inbound tourism is mostly for business and religious reasons, and there are a lot of new projects happening in Saudi Arabia
"Inbound tourism is mostly for business and religious reasons, and there are a lot of new projects happening in Saudi Arabia in terms of construction, infrastructure, new centers, and especially in Makkah where there is a rapid expansion to the holy sites," said Thierry Bertin, Vice President of World Wide Sales for Hyatt International – South West Asia.
Three new Hyatt hotels are opening in close proximity to several religious sites, such as Al Masjid Al-Haram (the Grand Mosque in Makkah), Mount Arafat, Muzdalifah and Mina
Three new Hyatt hotels are opening in close proximity to several religious sites, such as Al Masjid Al-Haram (the Grand Mosque in Makkah), Mount Arafat, Muzdalifah and Mina. Hyatt Hotels are currently expanding their presence in Saudi Arabia. In February of this year, Hyatt announced that it had opened a worldwide sales office in Saudi Arabia and had entered into agreements with Naseel Holding Company to manage three new Hyatt-branded hotels in the Kingdom. In April this year Hyatt announced plans for Hyatt Regency Riyadh in agreement with Mohammed A. Al Swailem Co. for Commercial Investment, marking seven Hyatt-branded hotels under development in Saudi Arabia across five of Hyatt's brands.
Currently, there is one Hyatt-branded hotel in Saudi Arabia, Park Hyatt Jeddah – Marina, Club and Spa, which opened in 2009.
The majority of tourist spending goes on shopping and accommodation, such as hotels or extended-stay serviced apartments
Hotel guests are looking for unique, bespoke experiences to suit their needs at a competitive price – authentic and select hospitality is a key trend that Hyatt continues to take the lead on, in Saudi Arabia and across the globe.
The Saudi Gazette
8 October
