Despite recent attacks by Yemen’s Houthis on Red Sea shipping, Saudi Arabia’s tourism minister, Ahmed Al Khateeb, assures visitors their new resorts are safe.
Khateeb made the comments at a regional security summit in Riyadh.
Houthis have targeted ships in the southern Red Sea, claiming they are linked to Israel.
However, Khateeb emphasizes that Saudi Arabia’s tourism developments, including the Red Sea Global project and NEOM’s Sindalah island, are located in the north and central Red Sea, far from the conflict zone.
Saudi Arabia launched a military campaign against the Huthis in 2015, but a ceasefire has been in effect for the past two years.
Tourism is a key element of the kingdom’s Vision 2030 economic diversification plan, aiming to reduce dependence on oil.
While acknowledging the mountainous southern region bordering Yemen is crucial for tourism development, Khateeb assures that areas like Asir province, home to luxury projects, are safe and stable.
The Huthi attacks on Red Sea shipping, which began in November 2023, were declared as acts of solidarity with Palestinians.
These attacks have drawn retaliatory strikes from the US and UK and increased Western naval presence in the region.
