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The digital revolution has profoundly transformed the tourism sector, reshaping how travelers research, plan and experience their journeys. Online platforms and digital tools have made information about destinations more accessible, enabling travelers to explore options, compare prices, and book accommodations and activities with ease. Social media has also emerged as a powerful influence, with user-generated content and reviews shaping travel decisions. Virtual tours and Augmented Reality (AR) experiences allow potential visitors to preview destinations before committing, while mobile apps enhance the on-ground experience by offering real-time navigation, language translation and personalised recommendations. Data analytics enables tourism providers to tailor their services, improving customer satisfaction and fostering loyalty.
Digitisation is expected to continue propelling the tourism experience towards becoming more seamless, frictionless and high-quality. While tourism companies are incorporating digital technologies to boost overall productivity and profitability, governments have a role to play in planning for the development and growth of their tourism sectors and in leveraging the power of digital to that end. For example, Japan’s e-visa system and the Australian government’s partnership with airlines to streamline bookings served as important initiatives to introduce digital solutions in tourism.
Tourism is a key driver of Saudi Arabia’s future growth, with the Kingdom leveraging its rich cultural and natural heritage to attract visitors from around the world. Home to UNESCO World Heritage sites, such as AlUla and Diriyah, as well as the Red Sea on its west coast, the country has an ambitious goal of welcoming 150 million tourists by 2030.
As part of its digital tourism strategy, launched at LEAP 2022, Saudi Arabia is leveraging AI to attract both regional and international travelers. This has effectively enhanced visitor engagement by personalising experiences, streamlining travel planning and maximising the Kingdom’s unique assets - its history, heritage and culture.
This paper examines global best practices in lharnessing digital technologies across the tourism value chain to enhance the industry's growth and provides recommendations on how Saudi Arabia use the power of digital to differentiate and enhance its tourism sector and the tourist experience. In light of the Kingdom’s growing stature as a tourist destination and the recent announcement of its hosting of the 2034 FIFA World Cup, it has become ever more important for the country to develop compelling experiences for tourists; digital technologies may prove an important enabler in achieving this goal.
The digital revolution has profoundly transformed the tourism sector, reshaping how travelers research, plan and experience their journeys. Online platforms and digital tools have made information about destinations more accessible, enabling travelers to explore options, compare prices, and book accommodations and activities with ease. Social media has also emerged as a powerful influence, with user-generated content and reviews shaping travel decisions. Virtual tours and Augmented Reality (AR) experiences allow potential visitors to preview destinations before committing, while mobile apps enhance the on-ground experience by offering real-time navigation, language translation and personalised recommendations. Data analytics enables tourism providers to tailor their services, improving customer satisfaction and fostering loyalty.
Digitisation is expected to continue propelling the tourism experience towards becoming more seamless, frictionless and high-quality. While tourism companies are incorporating digital technologies to boost overall productivity and profitability, governments have a role to play in planning for the development and growth of their tourism sectors and in leveraging the power of digital to that end. For example, Japan’s e-visa system and the Australian government’s partnership with airlines to streamline bookings served as important initiatives to introduce digital solutions in tourism.
Tourism is a key driver of Saudi Arabia’s future growth, with the Kingdom leveraging its rich cultural and natural heritage to attract visitors from around the world. Home to UNESCO World Heritage sites, such as AlUla and Diriyah, as well as the Red Sea on its west coast, the country has an ambitious goal of welcoming 150 million tourists by 2030.
As part of its digital tourism strategy, launched at LEAP 2022, Saudi Arabia is leveraging AI to attract both regional and international travelers. This has effectively enhanced visitor engagement by personalising experiences, streamlining travel planning and maximising the Kingdom’s unique assets - its history, heritage and culture.
This paper examines global best practices in lharnessing digital technologies across the tourism value chain to enhance the industry's growth and provides recommendations on how Saudi Arabia use the power of digital to differentiate and enhance its tourism sector and the tourist experience. In light of the Kingdom’s growing stature as a tourist destination and the recent announcement of its hosting of the 2034 FIFA World Cup, it has become ever more important for the country to develop compelling experiences for tourists; digital technologies may prove an important enabler in achieving this goal.
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