Green Horizons: Saudi Arabia’s sustainable tourism drive planting seeds for economic growth

RIYADH: Eco-friendly holiday destinations being developed across Saudi Arabia are positioning the Kingdom as a leader in sustainable tourism, a host of experts have told Arab News.

Aligning with the Vision 2030 strategy to increase visitor numbers to the Kingdom to 150 million a year by the end of the decade, Saudi Arabia is creating a host of new vacation resorts, as well as reinvigorating existing popular spots.

According to Pascal Armoudom, partner at Kearney Middle East & Africa, this balanced approach ensures that tourism expansion enhances, rather than compromises, the Kingdom’s natural and cultural assets.

“A central element is renewable energy investment across giga-projects like NEOM and the Red Sea Project. These destinations are designed to operate entirely on renewable sources, significantly lowering carbon emissions. By aligning economic growth with clean energy, Saudi Arabia not only attracts environmentally-conscious visitors but also creates sustainable jobs, supporting economic diversification away from oil,” Armoudom said.