Al-Khatib: Saudi Arabia is a global model in building future cities and destinations
His Excellency the Minister of Tourism, Mr. Ahmed Al-Khatib, affirmed that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is moving steadily towards becoming the most prominent global model in the construction of modern cities and integrated tourist destinations, benefiting from the latest technologies and sustainable building techniques.
Leading the global transformation in the real estate and tourism sector
This came during His Excellency's participation in a dialogue session at the "Future Real Estate Forum," where he pointed out that the world is witnessing rapid changes driven by modern technological advancements and innovations in building materials. Al-Khatib explained that the Kingdom is not merely keeping pace with this change, but is at the forefront of countries leading this radical transformation, thanks to its ambitious vision that has enabled it to anticipate the future.
The minister added that the Kingdom possesses a rare competitive advantage not found in many established nations: the ability to plan future cities from scratch. This advantage allows planners and developers to avoid past mistakes and implement the highest standards of quality and efficiency from the outset. This requires substantial capital investments and advanced expertise, which the wise leadership has provided to ensure the success of these projects.
Mega projects are redefining the concept of life
Al-Khatib cited prime examples of major projects currently underway, such as NEOM, which represents a quantum leap in the concept of cognitive cities; the Red Sea Project, which sets new standards for sustainable tourism; Diriyah, which blends the charm of history and the authenticity of heritage with the luxury of the present; and Qiddiya, the capital of entertainment, sports, and arts. These projects aim not only to attract tourists but also to offer a fully integrated lifestyle experience in one place.
Context of Vision 2030 and its economic impact
These moves come within the framework of the Kingdom's Vision 2030, which aims to diversify income sources and reduce dependence on oil. The tourism and real estate sectors are key pillars of this vision, as developing world-class destinations contributes to attracting foreign direct investment, creating thousands of job opportunities for Saudi youth, and increasing the tourism sector's contribution to the GDP.
This strategic direction enhances the Kingdom’s position as a global logistics and tourism hub, and sends a clear message to investors around the world that Saudi Arabia is a land of future opportunities, where technological innovations meet sustainable urban planning to create cities that serve people and improve the quality of life.
