Saudi investors are now implementing several multi-billion riyad tourism projects as they view the tourism sector as one of the few bright spots during the global economic slowdown. Projects include the resorts in the Red Sea coast in the western region, the coast of the Arabian Gulf, southern Aseer region, and the tourist destination of Taif.
A report by the Tourism Information Research Centre shows spending in the tourism sector last year exceeded 74 billion Riyals. The Saudi Travel and Tourism Mart 2009 started on Sunday and aims to attract more investment in the sector. The government has approved plans for a number of tourism projects including the Red Sea Coast in Ras Humaid, Sharma, Qayyal, and Al Wajh in the Tabuk province
