Saudi Arabia is emerging as a hotspot for sustainable hospitality

Several eco-friendly hotels and resorts have popped up across Saudi Arabia in recent years. In an effort to embrace the right kind of hospitality, industry leaders are boosting sustainability by cutting greenhouse gas emissions, protecting habitats and creating jobs locally.

The Kingdom led Mena’s hotel building activity in 2023 as it noted the construction of 42,033 hotel rooms. This accounted for 35.1% of the 119,505 rooms built in the region over the year, as per information from hotel monitoring firm STR.

Saudi tourism sector recording drop in carbon emissions

Saudi Arabia’s hotel segment is expected to generate $3.02 billion in revenue by 2027, according to Statista. The numbers are not surprising as the country’s Vision 2030 plan seeks to champion sustainability across all sectors.

Numerous hotels and plazas are implementing more and more environmental and eco-friendly practices in their facilities. The hotel segment is embracing sustainable practices to a great deal as it is projected to generate more than $2.5 billion in revenue in 2024.

From 2010 to 2019, the tourism industry in the country has contributed an average of 6.4% to the national Gross Domestic Product (GDP). It has recorded a drop in emissions too. In contrast, the global GDP average over the same period rose 4.3%, and emissions by 2.5%.

Saudi deepening focus on environmental sustainability

Saudi Arabia is committed to the environment’s conservation and trying to transform the landscape by promoting large-scale tree planting, enhancing biodiversity and combating desertification, heard the first Hima protected areas forum recently held in Riyadh.

With an abundance of wildlife across our destinations, we are committed to the conservation and enhancement of natural environments. That’s why we participated in #HIMA, the region’s first specialized forum dedicated to protected areas. Held in Riyadh this week, the event aligned… pic.twitter.com/VsYXZZTqTH

— Red Sea Global (@RedSeaGlobal) April 24, 2024

The Gulf state’s economic and social reform strategies prioritise environmental sustainability. The raging climate change presents fresh challenges for the living world but pre-existing conservation efforts offer a foundation.