Saudi Arabia has not yet reached a decision on whether to invest in Egypt’s Red Sea coast, even as it continues to expand its domestic tourism infrastructure ahead of the 2034 FIFA World Cup. The kingdom’s Minister of Tourism, Ahmed Al-Khateeb, made this known on Sunday during the Fortune Global Forum in Riyadh.
Al-Khateeb said Saudi Arabia already meets FIFA’s accommodation requirements for the upcoming World Cup but is still pushing forward with plans to add more hotels and enhance visitor experiences. “They checked the number of rooms today, and we qualify, but we are adding more rooms, and we are adding a better experience, for example, luxury destinations,” he said.
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Cairo has been developing plans for potential investment in Ras Gamila, a largely undeveloped stretch of coastline near the resort city of Sharm el-Sheikh, following a major investment by the United Arab Emirates in a section of Egypt’s Mediterranean coast.
When asked about possible Saudi involvement in the project, Al-Khateeb explained that the kingdom’s immediate focus remains on developing domestic destinations such as Red Sea Global, a vast tourism project that includes plans to open 17 new hotels by May next year, according to Reuters.
The minister also reaffirmed that Saudi Arabia has not taken any steps toward lifting its long-standing ban on alcohol sales. He noted that visitors are primarily drawn to other aspects of the kingdom’s appeal. “Tourists are keen to visit the kingdom to enjoy other things,” he said.
Once known for its strict conservatism, Saudi Arabia has relaxed several social and economic restrictions in recent years in an effort to attract more tourists and foreign businesses.
These reforms are part of its Vision 2030 strategy, an ambitious plan aimed at diversifying the economy, reducing dependence on oil, and positioning the kingdom as a leading global tourism destination.
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Image Credit: Reuters
