Saudi Arabia, British Company Sign Contract to Develop National Tourism Sector

Published February 15th, 2001 - 03:00 GMT

Saudi Arabia’s higher tourism commission and the British company Earnest and Young International have signed a contract to develop the tourism sector, reported the Saudi press Agency (SPA).

Under the contract signed in Riydh, the British company will establish several projects worth 18 million dollars, said SPA, adding that the projects will be implemented within 18 months.

Saudi Arabia's southwestern province of Asir attracts about 1.5 million tourists a year, mainly from within the kingdom and neighboring Gulf states whose nationals do not need visas to travel to the kingdom, according to an online report by Trade Port organization.

Tourism, estimated at $4.5 billion in 1999, is expected to grow by more than 10 percent annually over the next three years, said the report.

“This growth is attributed to an annual 3.5 percent population growth in the country and the Saudi government's increasing desire to build a tourism industry that would attract even foreign tourists.” – Albawaba.com