Saudi Arabia is witnessing a surge in domestic tourism with experts predicting a 40 per cent increase in the number of domestic trips made between 2015 and 2020, said a report.

According to a report in Arab News, which cited facts from a tourism forecast report released by Euromonitor International, government-led investment is driving a surge in domestic tourism across the kingdom.

“The Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage (SCTH) is investing generously in boosting domestic tourism, launching a number of new initiatives,” said Nikola Kosutic, research manager at Euromonitor International.

Euromonitor International identifies Makkah as the “main attraction” of the kingdom due to religious tourism, alongside Madinah. Riyadh and the Eastern Province are popular with business travellers, the report said.

Initiatives are also being made to launch more entertainment activities with the domestic tourism and the hospitality and tourism committee at the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce (JCCI) working to enhance tourism and entertainment in Jeddah and the kingdom.

“We are planning a forum in May, where experts from public to private sectors will participate and discuss the mission and vision of the hospitality committees, tourism in Jeddah and how to increase and promote domestic tourism, obstacles of the sectors and opportunities in the Kingdom,” said Adil A. Munief Mohammed, chairman of the Hospitality Committee at Jeddah Chamber of Commerce (JCCI).