Saudi Arabia’s ambitious US$800 billion investment in tourism by 2030 took centre stage this week as Her Highness Princess Haifa Mohammed Al-Saud, Vice Minister of Tourism, addressed the HSBC Global Investment Summit in Hong Kong. In front of more than 3,500 delegates, she reinforced the Kingdom’s message: Saudi Arabia is open for tourism—and investment.
The summit, themed ‘New Networks Connecting the Global Economy’, brought together leading policymakers, financiers and corporate leaders from the Middle East and Asia to examine how economic diversification strategies are reshaping global trade and investment corridors. For Saudi Arabia, tourism was more than a talking point—it was a headline opportunity.
A $3 trillion regional transformation
As part of the region’s wider US$3 trillion diversification push, the Kingdom’s tourism strategy stood out for both its scale and clarity of vision. While the UAE showcased its US$200 billion clean energy investment, Saudi Arabia focused on tourism as a core engine of economic rebalancing and job creation. From heritage to hospitality, giga-projects to green travel, the sector is being positioned as a pillar of future GDP growth.
Selim Kervanci, CEO of HSBC Middle East, North Africa and Türkiye (MENAT), commented: “The Middle East’s dominance in conversations at this year’s Summit demonstrates the pivotal role the region now plays in global finance, investment, and policy decisions. Saudi Arabia, in particular, is showing how tourism can drive transformational change.”
Princess Haifa: bridging global interest and local opportunity
Princess Haifa’s participation not only affirmed Saudi Arabia’s international engagement but also highlighted how the Kingdom is aligning with Asia—especially China, now the GCC’s largest trade partner. The summit served as a platform to underline tourism’s cross-sectoral impact: it supports construction, retail, hospitality, technology, and cultural development, making it a uniquely broad opportunity for investors.
Her message echoed the principles of Vision 2030: to reduce reliance on oil revenues, energise the private sector, and place Saudi Arabia at the crossroads of global commerce and culture.
Regional synergy and rising trade flows
The Summit also spotlighted wider economic momentum in the MENAT region, including macroeconomic rebalancing in Egypt and Türkiye. With annual trade between the Middle East and Asia expected to exceed US$1.9 trillion by 2035, discussions underscored the necessity of sustainable, future-focused investment corridors.
Speakers joining Princess Haifa in representing the Middle East included:
- H.E. Hadi Badri, CEO, Dubai Economic Development Corporation
- Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi, CEO, Masdar
Their presence reinforced a shared message: the region is not just diversifying — it is redefining its role in the global economy.
Tourism as an anchor of connectivity
For Saudi Arabia, the HSBC Global Investment Summit provided another opportunity to position tourism as a long-term growth anchor and a catalyst for cultural exchange. With infrastructure already underway—from airports and cruise terminals to new resort cities—investors are being invited to play an active role in shaping a future that blends tradition with innovation.
As the global investment community looks for stable, high-growth markets, Saudi Arabia’s evolving tourism landscape is emerging as one of the most compelling entry points.
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Photo – top of page courtesy of WTTC
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