Tourism Minister Holds Meeting with Entrepreneurs and Investors in Hail Region

Minister of Tourism Ahmed Al Khateeb, on a visit to the Hail region in connection with the Saudi winter activities accompanied by other ministry executives, has met with entrepreneurs and investors and highlighted the significant investment potential it has for the tourism industry.

 Hail, he said, is one of the most popular tourist spots in the Kingdom, and serves as an example for other locations thanks to its rich history and diverse landscape.

 The ministry, he said, is eager to forge stronger ties with the private sector, which he described as the industry's "engine" that helps boost tourism.

 Al Khateeb announced the study of the Tourism Development Fund, which is expected to support high-quality tourism projects worth over SAR billion. The project is expected to add over 850 hotel rooms to the Hail region.

 The Ministry of Tourism is working to encourage investments and provide facilities to investors. One program that aims to do just that is the Tourism Investment Enablers Program. It aims to reduce government fees in the hospitality sector by 22% and, along with the decision to stop municipal fees on hospitality facilities, is an additional step toward encouraging investments in the sector.

 The minister also observed numerous heritage and popular events in the region during his visit to various tourist attractions, the most notable being the FAID Museum. During his visit, he reviewed the possibilities to enhance the tourists’ experience and improve the quality of services provided to the region.

 During the first half of 2024, the tourism sector in the Hail region recorded over 1.1 million tourists, both local and international. The number of licensed rooms in these facilities reached nearly 2,600, and tourists spent SAR5.1 billion during their visits.