He also added that 30 million visits will be religious trips to holy cities like Makkah and Medina RIYADH: Saudi Arabia is aiming to attract 12 million foreign visitors in 2022, as the country is adopting several strategies to emerge as a global tourism hub, according to Tourism Minister, Ahmed Al-Khateeb. In 2021, the country attracted 4 million tourists, and the Kingdom is expecting a three-fold rise in visitors this year, Al-Khateeb told AFP. “We are back and we are very optimistic. Countries started to open their borders, restrictions started to ease down and people started to travel,” he said. The comments from Al-Khateeb come at a time when the works of the $500 billion futuristic megacity known as NEOM and Diriyah, the seat of the first Saudi state are progressing steadily. “This is a new level of tourism which does not exist today,” added Khateeb. According to Vision 2030, envisioned by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the Kingdom wants to attract 100 million visitors by the end of this decade. During the talk, Al-Khateeb revealed that of the 100 million targeted visitors for 2030, 30 million will come from abroad, while the remaining 70 million will be traveling within Saudi Arabia. He also added that 30 million visits will be religious trips to holy cities like Makkah and Medina. “Saudi Arabia will change the tourism landscape globally. The destinations that it will offer by 2030, it’s something completely different,” he further added.