Saudi eyes tripling of foreign tourists in 2022

Tourism Minister Ahmed Al Khateeb said in an interview with AFP Sunday: "Now we are pushing and moving to attract more... international visitors," specifying the goal for this year was 12 million, up from 4 million in 2021. - AFP

Riyadh: Saudi Arabia aims to triple foreign tourism this year as pandemic restrictions ease, hajj pilgrims return and the first elements of the crown prince's signature projects open.

The kingdom inaugurated tourist visas in September 2019, just months before the coronavirus pandemic decimated the industry globally.