A Bold Vision from Davos: Tourism as Economic Infrastructure for Global Prosperity

In the bustling corridors of the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2026 in Davos, a potent message echoed, challenging conventional wisdom and setting a new course for global development. His Excellency Ahmed Al-Khateeb, the esteemed Minister of Tourism of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, didn’t mince words when addressing an assembly of the world’s most influential leaders: tourism must be led as economic infrastructure.

This isn’t just a call for more tourism; it’s a paradigm shift. Treating tourism as foundational economic infrastructure means recognizing its profound capacity to drive growth and build resilience, much like investments in transportation networks, energy grids, or digital highways. It implies strategic planning, significant public and private investment, and a holistic integration into national economic policies.

Why Infrastructure? The Pillars of Growth and Resilience

When viewed through this lens, the benefits of prioritizing tourism become remarkably clear:

• Unlocking Economic Growth: Tourism is a powerful engine for job creation, fostering entrepreneurship, and generating substantial revenues. By developing world-class destinations and experiences, nations can attract investment, diversify their economies beyond traditional sectors, and create opportunities for millions.
• Building Resilience Against Shocks: A well-developed tourism sector, built on robust infrastructure and diversified offerings, can act as a shock absorber during economic downturns or global crises. It encourages local supply chains, supports small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and provides a sustainable income stream that can help communities recover and adapt.
• Community Empowerment and Cultural Exchange: Beyond economic metrics, strategic tourism development empowers local communities, preserves cultural heritage, and fosters cross-cultural understanding. Investing in tourism infrastructure means investing in the people, places, and stories that make a destination unique.

The Road Ahead: A Global Imperative

Minister Al-Khateeb’s message serves as a clarion call for global leaders to re-evaluate how they perceive and manage their tourism sectors. It demands moving beyond superficial promotions to deep, long-term investments in physical infrastructure, human capital development, technological innovation, and sustainable practices. If nations embrace this vision, integrating tourism into the very fabric of their economic planning, the rewards will be transformative – driving sustainable growth, fostering unparalleled resilience, and creating a more interconnected and prosperous world for all.

The future of global economies, it seems, hinges not just on bytes and bridges, but also on destinations and delightful experiences, strategically developed and managed as the vital infrastructure they truly are.

Source: Original Article