Saudi Summer 2026: Ambitious plans for an exceptional tourist season
In a strategic move to enhance the Kingdom's position as a leading tourist destination, His Excellency the Minister of Tourism, Mr. Ahmed bin Aqeel Al-Khatib, sponsored the "Saudi Summer 2026" program workshop, organized by the Saudi Tourism Authority with broad participation from over 140 partners from the public and private sectors. The workshop aimed to review the features of the program, which is being held this year under the slogan "Our Summer, Our Way," and to unify efforts to provide a comprehensive and distinctive tourism experience for visitors from within the Kingdom and abroad.
This workshop comes within the context of the major transformation underway in the Saudi tourism sector, which is a key pillar ofSaudi Vision 2030.Through its National Tourism Strategy, the Kingdom seeks to diversify its sources of income and reduce its dependence on oil by developing a sustainable tourism sector capable of attracting 150 million visits by 2030. Programs such as “Saudi Summer” are vital tools for achieving these goals by boosting domestic tourism and attracting regional and international visitors.
Integration of efforts between the public and private sectors
The workshop featured in-depth discussions on ways to enhance integration among the various stakeholders in the tourism sector. New tourism products and innovative offers for the summer season were reviewed, encompassing hospitality facilities, travel and tourism companies, event organizers, and entertainment and shopping destinations. In his address, His Excellency the Minister of Tourism emphasized that the success of the tourism season hinges primarily on effective partnerships and integrated efforts among all stakeholders, stressing that the private sector is the main driver of growth and development in this vital sector.
His Excellency explained that these annual meetings aim to build a unified platform that brings together partners to review products, discuss challenges, and develop appropriate solutions to ensure a smooth and distinctive tourism experience that meets the aspirations of different segments of visitors.
The importance of the Saudi Summer Program and its expected impact
The “Saudi Summer 2026” program holds significant importance both locally and regionally. Locally, the program contributes to promoting domestic tourism and providing diverse options for citizens and residents to spend their holidays within the Kingdom. This supports local economies in targeted destinations such as Asir, Al-Baha, Taif, Jeddah, and the Red Sea resorts, which are known for their mild climate and stunning natural beauty during the summer. It also contributes to creating thousands of direct and indirect job opportunities for Saudi youth.
Regionally and internationally, the program works to solidify the Kingdom's image as an attractive and competitive summer tourist destination, thanks to its geographical and cultural diversity. The program is expected to attract increasing numbers of tourists from the GCC countries and the wider region, seeking new experiences that combine entertainment, adventure, culture, and relaxation. The CEO of the Saudi Tourism Authority, Mr. Fahad Hamidaddin, emphasized the Authority's commitment to holding this workshop annually to unify visions and support promotional efforts that ensure tourism offerings and products reach the broadest possible segment of the target audience.
