The Role of the Sports Sector in Tourism Development in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia with a Focus on the Eastern Region

Abstract

Sports and Tourism are two powerful drivers that contribute to sustainable economic development by generating economic returns that are used to finance various development projects. According to the United Nations Tourism Organization, sports tourism contributed 10% of the total global tourism spending in 2023. It is also the fastest growing segment within the tourism industry worldwide, projected to grow at a rate of 17.5% between 2023 and 2030. The sports tourism market was valued at approximately $589 billion in 2022 and is expected to reach $1,803 billion by 2030. For example, tourist spending on sports tourism events amounted to about $ 39.7 billion in 2021 in United States alone (Tourism Economics,2022, P.7), highlighting the significant economic benefits associated with this sector. Furthermore, the 2023 World Cup in Qatar attracted a staggering 2.5 million fans who attended the games in person. Russia, as the host of the 2018 World Cup, generated $14 billion in direct economic benefits, which increased to $17 billion in Qatar in 2023.     Received: 18 May 2024 / Accepted: 13 July 2024 / Published: 11 January 2025