Tourism: Definitions, Types and Saudi Arabia

• The document is about the concept of tourism and its historical development
• The document is by Shahad AL-Barrak

Basic Definitions and Terms

• Tourism is the movement of people from their place of residence to other places for recreation, work, learning, or any other purpose.
• This excludes travel for work in exchange for payment at the destination.
• A tourist is someone who travels outside their city or country for a period of no less than 24 hours and no more than one year.
• The purpose for the tourist is typically non-work related e.g. recreation or relaxation.

Types of Tourism

• Domestic tourism occurs within the borders of a country.
• International tourism involves travel between countries.

Domestic Tourism in Saudi Arabia (First Half of 2023)

• Domestic tourism spending increased by 16% compared to the first half of 2022.
• The average length of stay increased from 4.6 nights in H1 2022 to 6.3 nights in H1 2023.
• Leisure was the top reason for trips, increasing by 18% compared to H1 2022.
• Leisure accounted for 16.6 million tourists, comprising 42.5% of all domestic tourism.
• The number of tourists totaled 39 million (down 2% compared to H1 2022).
• Tourist spending reached 63.1 billion SAR (up 16% compared to H1 2022).
• Total spending from tourists amounted to 31 billion SAR (down 3%).
• Non-Saudi tourist spending was 8 billion SAR (up 3% compared to H1 2022).
• Non-Saudi tourist spending reached 13.4 billion SAR (up 68% compared to H1 2022).

Top Destinations by Province (Saudi Tourists)

• Almadinah Almunawwarah had 2 million tourists (45%)
• Makkah Almukarramah had 8.3 million tourists (33%)
• Aseer had 3.2 million tourists (25%)
• Riyadh had 5.9 million tourists (22%)
• Eastern Province had 5.2 million tourists (16%)

Top Destinations by Province (Non-Saudi Tourists)

• Almadinah Almunawwarah had 0.9 million tourists
• Alqassim had 0.8 million tourists
• Makkah Almukarramah had 2.9 million tourists
• Eastern Province had 1.2 million tourists
• Riyadh had 1.2 million tourists

Tourism as an Industry

• Tourism includes all economic activities related to the provision of services and products for tourists, like:
  • Hotels
  • Restaurants
  • Travel companies
  • Tourist attractions

Stages of Tourism Development Through History (Dr. Sameh Ahmed Refaat)

• Ancient Era: Tourism was for survival, seeking food or safety.
• Middle Ages: Travel was limited to religious and commercial purposes.
• Modern Era: Organized and recreational travel emerged with technological advancements.

History of Tourism: Tourism in Ancient Times

• Tourism was limited to particular people: the wealthy and elite.
• Travel purposes included exploration, trade, pilgrimage, or recreation for the wealthy.
• Mecca was and still is a major religious destination for Muslims for hundreds of years.
• Merchants traveled between Asia and Europe to transport goods such as silk and spices.
• Travel was difficult and limited due to poor infrastructure and high costs.
• Tourism during this era was characterized by a lack of organization and reliance on natural conditions and local resources.

Tourism After World War II

• There was increased global interest in tourism as an industry that contributes to the global economy.
• Economic stability contributed to more people traveling.
• The emergence of "Charter Flights" made travel more affordable for the middle class.

The Emergence of Tourism in Its Modern Sense

19th Century

• Tourism began in its modern form with the development of transportation in the 19th century.
• Examples include railways and ships, which made travel more available to the masses.
• Tourist trips became more organised recreational activity.
• Organized tours emerged, such as "Thomas Cook Tours" in England, which were early steps in modern tourism.

Technological Advancement

• Technological innovations such as cars and airplanes expanded the scope of tourism.
• The innovations organised tourism to include more diverse and organised destinations.
• Cars and highways made land travel easier in the twentieth century.
• Tourism remained limited to certain classes for a while
• Airplanes made it possible to reach distant getaways in a short time.
• Example: Opening airlines between Europe and America made New York a popular tourist destination for Europeans.

Tourism in the Modern Era

• The tourism industry has grown significantly along with new destinations appearing as a result of economic and cultural progress.
• Tourism has become one of the largest industries globally, contributing to the global economy and playing a major role in cross-cultural understanding.
• Tourism in the modern era is more comprehensive with the development of infrastructure and the emergence of global tourist destinations.
• Paris is considered one of the most famous tourist destinations in the world due to its landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre Museum.
• The Maldives are also a luxury tourist destination because of its attractive beaches and resorts.
• Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 is an example of tourism innovation.

Examples Reinforcing the Modern Concept and Evolution of Tourism

• Experience of the tourist and the development of tourist places from the book "Returning as a Tourist to California".
• Ghazi Al-Gosaibi's experience illustrates the impact of time on tourist destinations.
• Al-Gosaibi describes his visit to the University of Southern California twenty years after his graduation.
• Al-Gosaibi noted the changes that occurred to the place and feeling of nostalgia and alienation.

Saudi Vision 2030

• Saudi Vision 2030 seeks to develop tourism as a modern industry to diversify the Saudi economy
• Saudi Vision 2030 wants to develop the tourism sector to become a major source of income.
• NEOM and the Red Sea Project focuses on providing innovative and sustainable tourist experiences that combine technology and nature.
• The vision has helped facilitate local and international tourism by improving infrastructure and providing electronic visas for tourists.

Ahmed Al-Shugairi and Promoting Japan

• Ahmed Al-Shugairi presented in his program "Khawatir" an inspiring model for promoting the cultures of countries.
• He highlighted Japan as a unique tourist destination.
• He presented its traditions and advanced social system in creative ways that influenced the Arab public and encouraged them to visit Japan.
• The presentation is an example of the importance of media and technology in promoting the concept of modern cultural tourism.