WTTC commends Saudi on commitment to develop travel and tourism sector

World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) commended (26-Sep-2017) Saudi Arabia its commitment to prioritising travel and tourism in the country. WTTC president & CEO Gloria Guevara said the Saudi Arabian government has been a "great example" to the sector in "prioritising tourism growth in the country in order to generate further economic wealth and jobs as the country diversifies their income streams". WTTC forecast travel and tourism growth of 6.4% year-on-year in Saudi Arabia in 2017, well above the global average of 3.6% forecast. Saudi travel and tourism sector employment figures are expected to rise by 3.7% in 2017. Travel and tourism generated SAR244.6 billion (USD65.2 billion) for the Saudi Arabia's economy in2 016, which is 10.2% of GDP and supported 9.7% of total employment. [more - original PR]