With an investment of one trillion dollars in tourism by the year 2030, attracting 100 million domestic and international visitors, the construction of new airports and a new airline called RIA are some of the issues that will be addressed in the coming years to strengthen the tourism industry in Saudi Arabia.

"Riyadh is the best ecological choice for the organization of this great event", explained Gloria Guevara Manzo, Chief Advisor to the Minister of Tourism of Saudi Arabia.

After the city of Riyadh was recently selected to host World Expo 2030, which will take place between october 1, 2030 and March 31, 2031, Gloria Guevara Manzo, said that it is planned to organize the first carbon-negative World Expo.

"This will be the largest and most sustainable Expo ever held, and the occasion represents an important recognition for a nation that continually invests in travel and tourism like no other, while possessing an inspiring and exemplary long-term vision. Under the theme 'The era of change: together for a forward-looking tomorrow,' the world will experience Arab warmth and hospitality, its ancient culture and amazing heritage", she said.

With the World Expo, the country expects to welcome more than 40 million visitors over six months to this great meeting of cultures. Saudi Arabia is the world's leading exporter of crude oil and has made diversification of its economy a priority. "For this reason, World Expo 2030 will be an important window for the promotion of travel and tourism, always with a focus on sustainability", she said.

The former President and CEO of the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), and former Secretary of Tourism of Mexico, said that Saudi Arabia is firmly committed to initiatives focused on caring for the environment. An example of this is the operation of the Riyadh-based Sustainable Tourism Global Center (STGC), which announced earlier this year the creation of the new Global Solutions Hub, which will aim to boost sustainable tourism worldwide.

Competing against the port city of Busan in South Korea and Rome in Italy, Riyadh recently won the bid with 119 votes, while Busan received 29 votes and Rome got 17 votes from the 182 members of the Paris-based Bureau International des Expositions (BIE).

With this bid, Saudi Arabia hopes to boost the tourism and leisure sectors, which are already booming in Riyadh, where nearly half of its 7 million inhabitants are non-Saudis. The Saudi capital aspires to become one of the top ten 'urban economies' on the planet, and a world center for finance and leisure.

Saudi Arabia plans to build a landmark monument for the World Expo, measuring 238 square meters and with 195 pillars (if the earth's surface were divided among all human beings, each would be responsible for 238 square meters, and its 195 pillars would highlight the equality of nations).

The site of World Expo 2030 will be an exclusive neighborhood north of the city of Riyadh, near the international airport, where each participating nation will have its own pavilion. Visitors will be able to walk through streets inspired by the heritage of the Saudi capital, and enjoy Wadi Al-Sulai, a natural oasis in a park.

World Expo 2020 was held in Dubai and had the theme "Connecting Minds, Creating the Future," and attracted more than 24 million visitors. The next World Expo, Expo 2025 Osaka Kansai, is scheduled from april 13 to october 13, 2025, under the theme of "Designing the Future Society for Our Lives."

Throughout their history, World Expos have consistently served as venues for the introduction and promotion of new technologies and products, catalyzing technological progress and the emergence of innovative designs, and World Expo 2030 in Riyadh will be no exception.

More information at:

www.riyadhexpo2030.sa

Translated by: A.M