OPPORTUNITIES AND OBSTACLES IN LAUNCHING A HIGH-END TOURISM APP IN SAUDI ARABIA

Abstract

The tourism industry's vital role in national economies has garnered significant attention from researchers and governments worldwide. Recent developments underscore the importance of this sector in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, as it is now central to the nation's 2030 vision for economic diversification, aiming to reduce dependence on oil revenues. This strategic shift has prompted the Saudi government to introduce numerous tourism initiatives, particularly in major cities like Riyadh and Jeddah. In 2019, the official Saudi tourism website (https://sauditourism.sa/en/Pages/default.aspx) was established to serve as the national platform for tourism in the country. This paradigm shift towards tourism as a key economic driver in Saudi Arabia has also drawn the global media's attention. This paper examines the implications and prospects of Saudi Arabia's emphasis on tourism as an economic cornerstone within the context of its 2030 vision, analyzing the potential impact on the national economy and global perception of the Kingdom's tourism sector