Saudi Press

Saudi Arabia and the world
Monday, Feb 09, 2026

Qatar's Tourism Boom and Saudi Arabia's Strategic Advances: Highlights from Economic Growth to Humanitarian Efforts

Qatar's tourism surges with a 24.5% visitor increase, driven prominently by Gulf travelers; Saudi Arabia eyes economic growth through strategic logistics improvements and international partnerships.
Qatar is on the rise as a top tourist destination, witnessing a remarkable 24.5% increase in visitors this August, a leap that aligns seamlessly with its Vision 2030 tourism goals. Notably, travelers from the Gulf Cooperation Council countries made up 41% of this influx with a preference for air travel, setting the stage for Qatar's ambitious target of over 6 million annual visitors.

Meanwhile, over in Saudi Arabia, the nation continues to bolster its logistics sector, achieving a notable 55% jump in container transhipment volume from 2017 to 2023. Thanks to strategic enhancements in infrastructure and location advantages, the Kingdom has also seen a 31% boost in container import and export volumes, aligning perfectly with its expansion goals.

In addition to its economic strides, Saudi Arabia is reinforcing its humanitarian efforts abroad, as seen with the arrival of a second relief plane in Lebanon from the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center. This initiative, supporting Lebanon during its crisis, showcases the Kingdom's continued commitment to providing crucial food, shelter, and medical aid on the global stage.

Looking ahead to environmental matters, Saudi Arabia is set to host COP16 in Riyadh this December, inviting nations to address combatting desertification and related challenges. The recent meeting in Jeddah with the Technical Committee for the Environment reflects the Kingdom's active engagement with biodiversity agreements and G20 initiatives focused on land preservation.

However, it's not all sunshine in Saudi Arabia, as the nation braces itself for heavy rainfall and potential floods in areas including Makkah and Riyadh this week. The General Directorate of Civil Defense has urged residents to remain vigilant and steer clear of flood-prone locations, particularly in the heavily affected regions.

Lastly, fostering economic growth through international partnerships, Saudi Arabia's Minister of Industry is in Italy to explore innovative joint investments. The visit is set to forge stronger economic ties, with discussions spanning industries from automobiles to marine sectors, promising a transfer of cutting-edge technology and expertise back to Saudi Arabia.
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