Saudi Cultural Missions Theses & Dissertations
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Item Restricted EXPLORING DOMESTIC TOURISTS' SATISFACTION WITH HERITAGE DESTINATION ATTRIBUTES: A HOLSAT MODEL, CASE STUDY: HISTORIC JEDDAH, SAUDI ARABIA(UNIVERSITI SAINS MALAYSIA, 2025) Haressy, Abdullah Yahya; Suraiyati, Binti RahmanHistoric Jeddah, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, represents one of the most significant heritage tourism destinations in Saudi Arabia. Despite its cultural and historical importance, tourist satisfaction with Historic Jeddah has not been systematically examined, especially from the perspective of domestic visitors. This gap is critical, as understanding tourists’ expectations and experiences is essential for enhancing service quality, improving infrastructure, and sustaining the city’s competitiveness in the growing heritage tourism sector. The novelty of this study lies in the adaptation and application of the Holiday Satisfaction (HOLSAT) model to Historic Jeddah, integrating demographic analysis with a systematic assessment of expectation–experience gaps across cultural and historical appeal, accessibility and mobility, facilities and services, hospitality, and value-for-money. Data were collected through an online survey conducted between June and July 2025, yielding 421 valid responses from domestic tourists across the five regions of Saudi Arabia. Descriptive statistics profiled tourist demographics, frequency of visiting, and travel purpose, while paired-sample t-tests identified expectation–experience gaps. Correlation analysis and multiple regression were then employed to examine the influence of HOLSAT dimensions on overall satisfaction. Reliability testing confirmed strong internal consistency across all dimensions (Cronbach’s α > 0.88). The results show that overall satisfaction was positive, with cultural and historical appeal and hospitality exceeding expectations. In contrast, negative gaps were found in facilities & services and accessibility & mobility, particularly in toilet availability, disability access, and road signage. Regression analysis further revealed that experiences were stronger predictors of satisfaction than expectations, with hospitality emerging as the most influential factor, followed by cultural & historical appeal, while value-for-money had a mixed effect. The study contributes to tourism research by providing empirical evidence on how HOLSAT dimensions shape satisfaction in a Middle Eastern UNESCO heritage context, offering a framework that can be applied to similar destinations. Practically, the findings highlight the need for targeted improvements in infrastructure and pricing strategies, alongside sustained investment in heritage preservation and hospitality training. By addressing these areas, policymakers and tourism managers can enhance visitor experiences, strengthen repeat visitation, and support the long-term sustainability of Historic Jeddah as a world-class heritage tourism destination.43 0Item Restricted Evaluating Riyadh’s Tourism Growth and Economic Diversification under Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030: Strategies and Outcomes(Taylor's University, 2024) Alsader, Gazwa Naif; Ismail, KhairiahThis study evaluates the impact of tourism strategies implemented in Riyadh within the framework of Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030, focusing on three key areas: and it safer for the economic development, cultures, and visitors who will benefit this place. It analyses the role of tourism in the diversification of the Saudi Arabian non-oil revenues and discusses the challenges and opportunities of the development strategy for the tourism industry in Riyadh. In this study, a quantitative design was employeds, and structured questionnaires are administered to 385 participants categorized in to tourists, residents and workers in the tourism sector. Tests of regression and correlation were also used to determine significance of economic, cultural and social effects of tourism with regards to the implementation of the set tourism programs. The findings also provide evidence of the relationship between tourism development, economic growth in Riyadh, and Vision 2030 objectives. Tourism has helped in employment opportunities, infrastructural developments, development of small businesses, and-Cultural Consciousness and placing Riyadh as a Cultural centre. However, the following issues were pointed out as the challenges; Cultural commodification and The need to diversify the tourism products. On the whole, the outcomes show the positive attitude of visitors; however, there is a need for further development in international marketing andleisure activities asthe factors affecting the image of Riyadh on the international level. Based on the findings,the following policy guidelines for the development of tourism are recommended: proliferation of tourism products; infrastructural development; promotion of the buying local products; and increasing utilization of products from the tourism sector. The study adds to the theoretical frame work of the impacts of tourism in diversification of economy and nation branding, culture and social relations in context of nation- wide development plans, Vision 2030 in Saudi Arabia. It provides fresh ideas on theorising the relationship between tourism development and nation-state’s economic plans, and underlines the possibilities of utilising tourism as an additional non-oil source of revenues for Saudi Arabia while at the same time demanding responsible and culturally appropriate tourism growth in Riyadh. In addition, it deals with the theoretical-emprical deficiencies regarding the sociological consequences of tourism for communities.37 0