Dubai: “Resilience is built before you need it,” Saudi Minister of Tourism Ahmed Al-Khateeb told the global travel trade in London on Tuesday. The kingdom is pushing its tourism drive through a war that has seen airport closures and dented its economy.

Al-Khateeb opened Saudi Land at World Travel Market (WTM) London on November 3. He used the stage to tell the industry that "Saudi tourism has demonstrated the strength of its foundations."

He spoke of how the sector has held up in the first half of 2026, welcoming about 61.2 million tourists, roughly 1 per cent more than a year earlier. Tourism spending reached about SAR151.9 billion. He emphasized that the Kingdoms target of150 million visitors by 2030 still stands.

Economy takes the hit

Saudi's GDP fell 4.7 per cent in the second quarter and 3.8 per cent in the third. The International Monetary Fund now forecasts a 3.3 per cent contraction for 2026. In July it had forecast 1.7 per cent growth.

Oil output has also dropped sharply.…