Sustainability is becoming an increasingly important consideration within the Middle East, Gulf, and Saudi Arabia’s luxury travel sector.
Especially in Saudi Arabia, one Mega Tourism Project after the other makes the Saudi Kingdom a tourism country of unlimited possibilities.
Travel and Tourism response to climate change, net zero, and a luxury travel trend are getting added to the unlimited possibilities.
61% of Saudi Arabia, the Gulf Region, and the Middle East residents say they are willing to pay a premium for more responsible, eco-friendly, sustainable tourism experiences.
In luxury travel post-pandemic, one in 10 consumers has stayed in luxury eco-friendly accommodation during the past three years.
This is especially prevalent among high-income travelers, whose sustainable luxury hotel stays have increased by 50% during the same period, according to a study by ATM.
In the Middle East, Gulf, and Saudi region, travel has become more important since the Covid-19 pandemic.
Regarding luxury travel priorities, a quarter of those living in the region are looking for great entertainment, whereas 19% place the most significant emphasis on premium-quality accommodation when booking trips.
The Middle East has developed an unparalleled international reputation for luxury tourism, with consumers across the region placing a high value on bespoke, memorable, and environmentally responsible experiences.
Quietly in Saudi Arabia, HE Ahmed Al-Khateeb, the Minister of Tourism for the Kingdom, headed by his top special advisor HE Gloria Guevara has been working tirelessly towards net zero in tourism with a new initiative in the making.
This initiative was started last year and is currently known as the Sustainable Tourism Global Center (STGC).
A dream team has been working behind the scenes in the Ministry of Tourism in Riyadh to bring forward a new mega project that will change the world’s future of travel and tourism.
It’s designed to make net zero for the sector a reality and tremendously contribute to small and medium-sized businesses and the sector’s future leaders, the youth.
It includes personalities such as Qusai Al-Fakhri, the CEO of the Saudi Tourism Development Fund, Fahd Hamidaddin, the CEO of the Saudi Tourism Authority, and Princess Haifa Al Saud, the Kingdom’s deputy minister of tourism.
Parallel HE Gloria Guevara convinced an international group of global expert consultants in tourism, financing, and marketing to become the extended arm of this dream team.
Experts include two former heads of State, a prime minister, and leading personalities in today’s global travel and tourism leadership.
Saudi Arabia will be ready soon to introduce the concept run by the strongest team this sector has to show.
The upcoming Arabian Travel Market in Dubai next month will demonstrate that in addition to sustainable luxury travel, consumers’ appetite for authentic excursions is also rising within this segment.
Over half (51%) of affluent tourists have sought more meaningful travel experiences since the pandemic, and more than a quarter (27%) are willing to pay extra for secluded villas and chalets.
These figures coincide with growth across the Middle East, Gulf, and Saudi Arabia travel industry.
By 2028, the value of Saudi Arabia’s outbound travel industry is on course to hit $27 billion and will lead the region soon.
Kuwait is expected to grow to $17 billion, Qatar is likely to exceed $13 billion, and the UAE citizens spend $30.5 billion.
Having officially initiated its journey to net zero, innovative sustainable travel trends will likely evolve, allowing it to identify growth strategies within vital vertical sectors.
Experts are exploring a sustainable future ahead of the UN Climate Change Conference, known as COP28, which will take place in November 2023 at Expo City Dubai.
