Chapter 5: Conclusion and Recommendations

This final chapter reviews the conclusions provided throughout the study and measures Saudi
government policies and funding and regulatory changes to promote the development of the
tourism sector within Vision 2030. The chapter will also indicate the challenges encountered
during the research, provide suggestions for future improvement, and give a conclusion.

LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY

Although this study provides insight concerning the efficiency of Saudi Arabian policies
funding, and regulatory environment of the tourism sector, it is significant to consider several
limitations that may influence the outcome’s interpretation. One major weakness is the sample of
the interviewed participants. However, due to the nature of the research focusing on the essential
stakeholder groups, including the government officials and hospitality professional, there are
limitations associated with the omission of the other critical stakeholder groups, including the
tourists and businesspersons within the affected regional locations. This might have resulted in a
more policy oriented view rather than the experiences and satisfaction levels of the customers,
the visitors as well as the small independent tour operators who form an important part of the
entire chain in the tourism sector.

The other direction of the limitation is associated with the time frame of this research. The
ongoing Neom, The Red Sea Project, AMAALA are few of the projects of Saudi Arabia’s Vision
2030 are under construction in KSA. It is important to note that this paper considered policy
evaluation after the implementation of the specific policies during the short- to medium-term
which can hardly provide insight into the long-term effects of such programs. That is why further
research after these projects’ completion and development will be required to get the more
accurate picture of their efficacy and viability.

A third limitation arises from the sort of data available, particularly, on public private
partnerships(PPPs). Analyzing external stakeholders, the study identified remarkable activities of
the government and large capacity forms of private sector partnership. This lack of data therefore
hinders the ability for one to understand whether small businesses are gaining from government
policies or are secluded in some way, thus restricting their involvement in this growth. A
drawback of the geographical focus of the research also presents a drawback. However, the study
failed to give critical experience of the remote or the less developed areas which also stands as
potential tourism areas. These areas may have issues with for instance, transport and physical
accessibility all of which are critical factors for developing tourism outside major cities.

Last of all, the study was conducted when there was an ongoing significant shift in socio-
economics owing to the COVID-19 pandemic and unpredictable tourism. Some of these may
have affected the impacts of the Saudi Arabia’s policies in the short run especially in the area of
increasing numbers and changing perceptions of tourists. Altogether, this study serves a good
basis for comprehending Saudi Arabia’s efforts and progress in the development of tourism,
however, it is only the first step that requires further contributions that incorporate more
participants, extended time horizons, and more comprehensive data to estimate the efficiency of
Saudi Arabian policies, funding, as well as regulations in the long run.

RECOMMENDATIONS

According to the study discovery and the limitations the following recommendations should be
made to enhance sustainability policies, funding, and regulations of tourism growth under Vision
2030 in Saudi Arabia.

1. Strengthen Stakeholder Engagement and Inclusivity

Some of the inadequacies include the limited involvement of stakeholders, specifically, local
communities and SMEs. In this regard, whereas the government has managed to attract large FDI
into the country particularly in the tourism sector to enhance its image and market
competitiveness, there is need to ensure that domestic industry and communities benefit from the
growing boom. For instance, instead of the current state where local entrepreneurs in these areas
have to struggle in participating in tourism activities, schemes such as tax credits, subsidies or
even specific training may assist these players. Moreover, the improvement of support to the
community-based tourism endeavors shall facilitate distribution of the tourism impacts across
various stakeholders in an effort to achieve the noble cause of economic trickle-down.
2. Enhance Infrastructure Development in Remote Regions

Although projects such as NEOM and The Red Sea Project have received significant coverage
and funding, it is crucial to take note of the development of infrastructure in regions that are less
explored and less developed. There are numerous such exciting and untouched rural and even
wilderness areas in Saudi Arabia that have so much unspoiled natural and cultural tourism
potential if the country’s infrastructure was developed to accommodate the type of tourist who
wants a more off the beaten path, cultural, or eco-tourism experience. Opening up the regions
through construction of more roads, regional airstrips, and public means of transport are some of
the recommendations that would ease tourist accessibility to these areas. It would also assist in
spreading the flow of tourists’ earnings across the country so that the visitation hot spots do not
get overloaded while helping less-traveled areas to develop responsibly and sustainably.

3. Prioritize Sustainable Tourism Development

Sustainability must be amongst the focal points in the development of Saudi Arabia’s tourism
policy. It is therefore imperative to show how this could be achieved in a manner that does not
corrupt the prospects of the entire kingdom affiliated sites that are of environmental and cultural
significance. The Red Sea Project has provided a good foundation by placing sustainability at the
core, however, greater efforts are required in order to guarantee the proliferation of the said
strategy toward all the projects related to tourism development. The Usage of green energy
resources such as renewable energy in the hotels, proper disposal of wastes, and management of
natural resources for conservation in tourism must remain on the agenda of the government. This
will require promotion of incentives with a view of encouraging local communities to participate
in heritage conservation especially when these are in areas that are seeing rapid expansion of
tourism industries.

4. Expand Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs)

PPPs have proven efficient in growing infrastructure and service of Saudi Arabia’s tourism such
as AMAALA and NEOM. If the emphasis is made on the diversification of these partnerships
including SMEs and local investors the tourism industry could become more widespread and less
vulnerable. In order to attract more private sector participation especially in small scale projects
which have direct local impact the government should consider reducing bureaucratic
procedures.

CONCLUSIONS

This research was carried out with the purpose of evaluating the effectiveness of Saudi Arabian
government policies, funding models as well as regulation in enhancing tourism industry
consistent with Vision 2030. Being among the four pillars of the Saudi Arabian economy and
closely linked to the efforts made within the framework of Vision 2030 to develop the country’s
non-oil sector, tourism has become a transformative plan. From large scale initiatives, policies,
and investments the research examined how the Saudi government is in the process of nation
building to create a sustainable long-term tourism economy.

The studies reveal the fact that Saudi Arabia has achieved great progress on the way to
becoming one of the most popular tourist countries in the world. The e-visa system drawn the
attention of the outsiders, whereas NEOM & the Red Sea Projects have also influenced the
outside crowds increasing tourist population. Further, the initiatives taken by the governments in
the form of infrastructural growth, social changes and cultural conservation have done much to
establish a sustainable framework for upcoming expansion. But, there are issues to solve, issues
as regionality, working with minor players, and making sustainability central to tourism policy.
This sector has also recorded a lot of advancement in the aspect of international tourists and
facilities that accompany the tourist business. However, the more the research shows the
significance of there being a spotlight on domestic development particularly in the rural or
developing areas. Despite national level policies that have been implemented, focused regional
policies must also be put in place so as to prevent regional imbalance in the development of the
tourism sector.

Further, regarding the projects like Red Sea Project and Qiddiya Entertainment Complex, the
study found that these initiatives have been highly effective in delivering the concept of the
creation of new tourist destinations and at the same time, widening the range of Saudi Arabia’s
tourist offerings. Nevertheless, further extensive funding, improved sustainability management
and especially the engagement of local communities to ensure that everyone can grab these
benefits will be necessary for the long-term sustainability of such projects. By aggravation of the
research, the influence of the government funding and the invetment to infrastructure
development were also discussed. On balance it stated that the government funding has been
satisfactory enough to support the large scale projects where the public private partnership has
emerged as the major success factor. In the future, there will be need to ensure that the funding is
spread all over to enable the growth of all parts of the country. In this context, it can be stated
that the e-visa system as well as the liberalization of certain principles regarding the social life
and implementation of environmental standards has had a positive effect on the tourism. These
improvements have made it easier for the international tourist to undertake tourism in Saudi
Arabia and have boosted the image of Saudi Arabia as a tourist friendly country.

Overall, Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 makes a difference when it comes to redesigning the
tourism industry in the country. Although there have been improvements over the years, there is
still much more that can be done. The kingdom has to develop a much more sophisticated
strategy, paying a special emphasis to the need to narrow the gap of disparities, engaging local
stakeholders and incorporating sustainability principals into all the processes of developing
tourism successfully. In this way, Saudi Arabia will be able to realize its vision of becoming on
of the most attractive tourist destinations in the world while at the same time making sure that it
follows the principles of sustainable tourism where the benefits are distributed among all
members of the society.