50 Agreements Worth $50 Bln Signed at WTTC’s Global Summit in Riyadh

50 Agreements Worth $50 Bln Signed at WTTC’s Global Summit in Riyadh

More than 50 agreements and memorandums of understanding, with a value exceeding $50 billion, were signed on the sidelines of the Global Summit of the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) in Riyadh on Tuesday.

Saudi Tourism Minister Ahmed Al-Khatib said the tourism sector was expected to generate 126 million new jobs in the next decade.

“The opportunity for us as tourism leaders is to focus the energies towards creating an industry fit for the future, an industry that is more sustainable and resilient, and better able to create wealth and unlock opportunities... We must put people and planet first and at the center of every decision we make,” Al-Khatib said in his opening speech.

Millions of jobs

“Tourism will generate 126 million new jobs in the next decade,” the minister noted. “This means that one out of every three new jobs created will be in our sector.”

He emphasized that the Kingdom was reimagining tourism while relying on the strength of partnership.

“A shared commitment to partnership will drive the global industry forward... Last October, we launched the Global Center for Sustainable Tourism as a multi-country, multi-stakeholder organization to lead and accelerate the path towards net zero emissions,” he stated.

Sustainability and youth

Al-Khatib said that within