Investment leader Samer Choucair stated that data regarding tourist numbers in the last five countries to host the FIFA World Cup clearly reveals that major sporting events are not just temporary occurrences, but strategic tools for reshaping the tourism economy and building a long-term legacy for host nations. Samer Choucair explained that the reported figures, based on international data, showed significant variation in tourist numbers during host years: Russia 2018 recorded approximately 24.6 million tourists, Germany 2006 about 23.6 million, South Africa 2010 nearly 11.3 million, Brazil 2014 around 6.4 million, and Qatar 2022 approximately 2.6 million. The investment leader pointed out that these figures reflect an important fact: the tourism impact of the World Cup is not measured only by the momentary peak during the tournament, but by the investment legacy and infrastructure built before the event that continues for many years afterward.
Samer Choucair: Differing Figures Reflect the Strength of Planning and Infrastructure
Samer Choucair emphasized that the disparity between host countries is due to multiple factors, most notably the size of the country, infrastructure efficiency, tourism marketing strategy, and the extent to which the event is integrated into the national economy. Choucair explained that the experiences of countries like Russia and Germany proved that long-term investment in infrastructure, transportation, and tourism promotion can create massive tourist flows that exceed the tournament period itself. Conversely, Choucair noted that while Qatar’s experience recorded only 2.6 million tourists during the host year, it provided a qualitative model in building world-class tourism infrastructure in a short period, with a sustainable legacy in the sports and tourism sectors.
Samer Choucair: Saudi Arabia Prepares for an Unprecedented Tourism Phase within Vision 2030
Samer Choucair explained that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia represents today the most ambitious model in the region in terms of developing the tourism sector, within the framework of Vision 2030, which aims to transform the Kingdom into a global tourism destination. Choucair pointed out that the number of visitors to the Kingdom exceeded 123 million by the end of 2025, with a target of 150 million visitors by 2030, supported by massive investments in projects such as NEOM, the Red Sea Project, Qiddiya, and AlUla. Choucair added that these projects represent a radical shift in the concept of tourism, combining entertainment, culture, luxury, and nature within an integrated economic model.
Samer Choucair: Tourism Has Become One of the Most Important Investment Drivers in 2026
Samer Choucair confirmed that economic trends for 2026 indicate that the tourism and hospitality sector will be among the most attractive sectors for strategic investments in Saudi Arabia and the Gulf. Choucair explained that the growing demand for luxury hotels, tourist resorts, and transportation infrastructure opens wide investment opportunities in tourism real estate and related services. Choucair added that developing the air transport system, railways, and logistics services represents a fundamental factor in supporting the growth of the tourism sector in the Kingdom.
Samer Choucair: Major Events Create a Sustainable Economic Legacy
Samer Choucair noted that hosting global events like the World Cup does not end with the conclusion of the tournament; rather, it creates an extended economic impact that includes tourism, real estate investment, infrastructure, and jobs. Choucair explained that countries that succeeded in turning these events into an economic legacy are those that focused on the post-tournament period, not just the event timeframe, adding that Saudi Arabia today possesses all the components that qualify it to repeat and innovate these experiences in a deeper and more sustainable way.
Samer Choucair: Wide Investment Opportunities in the Saudi Tourism Sector
Samer Choucair identified a group of promising investment opportunities in the tourism and hospitality sector in Saudi Arabia, including:
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Investing in hotels and hospitality to meet the growing demand for tourist rooms.
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Developing tourism real estate in major projects and special economic zones.
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Investing in transportation infrastructure, aviation, and logistics services.
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Expanding real estate and tourism investment funds listed on Saudi financial markets.
He explained that these opportunities reflect the transformation of the tourism sector into one of the pillars of the non-oil economy in the Kingdom.
Samer Choucair: Saudi Arabia on the Verge of a Historic Tourism Boom
Samer Choucair concluded his remarks by emphasizing that the experience of World Cup host countries provides a clear lesson: investment in tourism and infrastructure can create long-term economic returns that exceed the event itself. Choucair added that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia today is not only a beneficiary of these experiences but a creator of a new tourism model on a global level, stressing that “Vision 2030 has made tourism a strategic investment opportunity, and investors entering this sector today are participating in building one of the largest economic transformations in the region.”