RIYADH: Saudi Arabia has committed over SR3.5 billion ($932 million) to develop 17 tourism projects in Al-Ahsa, positioning the region as a key destination in the Kingdom’s growing travel sector, according to a senior official. During a meeting with investors and entrepreneurs as part of his broader tour across Saudi regions, Tourism Minister Ahmed Al-Khateeb outlined plans to enhance the governorate’s tourism infrastructure. The projects will add more than 1,800 hotel rooms, leveraging Al-Ahsa’s natural and cultural assets to attract domestic and international visitors, the Saudi Press Agency reported. The initiative aligns with the Kingdom’s National Tourism Strategy, which aims to attract 150 million visitors annually by 2030 and increase the tourism sector’s contribution to Saudi Arabia’s gross domestic product from 6 percent to 10 percent. Al-Khateeb highlighted investment opportunities in the sector, reaffirming the ministry’s commitment to providing comprehensive services and facilities to encourage further private sector involvement. As part of the tour, the minister visited the SR200 million Radisson Blu Hotel in Al-Ahsa. Spanning over 10,000 sq. meters and featuring more than 180 rooms, the hotel — supported by the Tourism Development Fund — combines international luxury with local authenticity, serving as a model for future developments in the region. Other regions across the Kingdom are also experiencing significant growth in the tourism sector. Earlier this month, the Ministry of Tourism announced that Saudi Arabia’s Hail region welcomed over 1.1 million tourists in the first half of 2024, including 170,000 international visitors, reflecting the Kingdom’s growing appeal as a travel hub. The ministry also reported that over 907,000 visitors were domestic travelers, showcasing the region’s popularity among residents. Licensed hospitality facilities in Hail now offer around 2,600 rooms, meeting increasing demand. The surge aligns with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, which focuses on enhancing tourism infrastructure and attracting global travelers. The Kingdom plans to develop Hail as the fifth destination under the Saudi Tourism Investment Co., known as ASFAR, a Public Investment Fund-owned entity. According to the latest UN Tourism report, Saudi Arabia climbed 15 places to rank 12th globally in tourist spending for 2023 — the largest jump among the top 50 countries. This follows a September report from the UN Tourism, which highlighted the Kingdom’s leadership among G20 nations with a 73 percent increase in international visitor growth and a 207 percent rise in international tourism receipts from January to July, compared to the same period in 2019.