Tourism industry generated SR11b last year, says SCTH

  Saudi Gazette report RIYADH — The tourism industry in the Kingdom generated around SR11 billion during the last Hijri year, which ended in mid-October, the Saudi Press Agency said, quoting a statistical report issued by the Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage (SCTH). The figure represents income from diversified tourism activities, including more than 300 shopping festivals, hospitality and restaurants sector and the service industry, SPA said. The report said new investments in the sector last year hit more than SR100 million, pumped by more than 130 tourism companies and institutions. It said about 11.7 million visitors attended the tourism festivals in various parts of the country, which is a 15 percent increase compared to the previous year and 30 percent increase over 2013. The commission expects the annual revenues to hit SR15 billion in the next two years. It pointed out that the tourism festivals organized since 2005 have contributed to creating more than 70,000 seasons jobs for Saudi nationals. The commission organized, hosted or supported and as many as 855 tourism events over the last four years, the report said. It said 173 tourism events were organized in the central Qassim region last year, the largest number for any Saudi province. It was followed by 143 events in Makkah region, including 42 in Taif. There were 123 events in the Eastern Province, 96 in Riyadh, 31 in Najran, 34 in the Northern Borders, 33 in Baha, 23 in Hail, 41 in Jouf, 45 in Jazan, 43 in Tabuk, 38 in Asir and 34 in Madinah.