Saudi Cultural Missions Theses & Dissertations
Permanent URI for this communityhttps://drepo.sdl.edu.sa/handle/20.500.14154/10
Browse
43 results
Search Results
Item Unknown The Impact of Tourist Influx on the Quality of Life of Local Resident in Saudi Arabia(Bournemouth university, 2025) Albalawi, Abeer; Hande, TurkogluThis research explores the impact of tourist influx on the quality of life (QoL) of local residents in Saudi Arabia, with a focus on the social, economic, environmental, and psychological dimensions of this relationship. The study is grounded in the context of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, which positions tourism as a key driver of economic diversification and national development. While tourism offers opportunities for growth, it also raises concerns regarding social equity, environmental sustainability, and cultural transformation particularly in high- density religious tourism destinations like Mecca. The study adopts a quantitative, descriptive, and cross-sectional research design to address these gaps. Primary data will be collected via a structured electronic survey distributed to a random sample of residents from both urban and rural areas across Saudi Arabia. Secondary data from governmental and academic sources will supplement this analysis. The methodology is supported by Social Exchange Theory and the Bottom-Up Spillover Model, enabling a theoretical framework to assess the perceived benefits and costs of tourism on local populations.3 0Item Unknown Mutual Reinforcement of FDI and Tourism in the GCC.(Saudi Digital Library, 2024) Alharbi, Raghad; Dymaski, GaryThis dissertation investigates the dynamic relationship between Foreign Direct Investment FDI inflows and tourism in GCC countries, with a focus on their strategic efforts to diversify economies traditionally dependent on oil. By employing the Tourism-Led Growth Hypothesis and the FDI-led tourism concept, this study examines the mutual reinforcement between FDI and tourism. A range of econometric tools, including co-integration analysis, Granger causality tests, Pooled Ordinary Least Squares POLS, and Fixed Effects FE estimations, are employed. The results indicate a bidirectional relationship between FDI and tourism, marked by lagged effects. Specifically, Fixed Effects estimation reveals that FDI stimulates the growth of the tourism sector, and a thriving tourism industry, in turn, attracts additional FDI after a two-period lag. This positive feedback loop enhances economic resilience and supports diversification. The findings suggest that GCC countries should consider integrated policies that concurrently promote tourism and attract FDI.4 0Item Unknown Enhancing the Pilgrimage Experience: An In-depth Analysis of Religious Tourism for Hajj in Makkah, Saudi Arabia(Middlesex University, 2024) Farea, Fahd; Terzidou, MatinaExecutive Summary Hajj is one of the most important events in the Islamic calendar, often requiring Muslims to attend the event at least once in their lives. Each year, the event attracts millions of people, leading to congestion especially due to the growing number of unauthorised pilgrims. Although the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah (MHU) is responsible for planning Hajj during the Islamic month of Dhu al-Hijjah from the 8th- 12th day of the month, some of the events have been marred with casualties as stampedes result in thousands of people being injured. Furthermore, the event occurs during the summer which means extreme heat, often affecting the elderly. In recent years, technologies have been used in an attempt to improve the experience and organisation of pilgrims. To investigate the social phenomenon, this study adopted an interpretivist approach through a descriptive design, an inductive approach and qualitative semi structured interviews. The goal was to provide the participants an opportunity to explain their ideas, beliefs and experiences. The current study also includes twelve participants purposively selected from three agencies that organise or facilitate the Hajj experience in one way or another. From the thematic analysis of the interviews, the current research found that the expectations of Hajjis play a crucial role in shaping their experience during the pilgrimage. Finally, the study found that communication challenges from non-Arab speakers particularly, climate issues and infrastructural issues account for some of the main challenges that affect the pilgrim experience for Hajjis in Saudi Arabia.32 0Item Restricted A Study of Revitalizing and Protecting Historical Sites in Al Ahsa for Tourism to Achieve Saudi Vision 2030(University of Sheffield, 2024-09) AlOmran, Abdulaziz; Williams, GlynThis study investigates the revitalization and preservation of historical sites in Al Ahsa, Saudi Arabia, to promote heritage tourism and support the goals of Saudi Vision 2030. It also highlights the vital role of local community engagement in preserving and revitalizing historical sites. The study focuses on three main areas: (1) how the social and economic benefits of these sites can stimulate local engagement; (2) factors that contribute to declining visitation rates; and (3) community attitudes, behaviours, and motivations toward heritage conservation. Using semi-structured interviews with heritage and tourism sector officials and opinion polls of Al Ahsa residents, the findings reveal a generational gap: younger residents show less interest in historical sites than older residents, who have deeper cultural and historical ties. The study suggests that enhancing economic opportunities associated with these sites could attract younger people to participate in their preservation, while older residents are more motivated by cultural pride. In addition, poor marketing, inadequate facilities, and limited services were identified as significant barriers to increasing visitor numbers. These insights underscore the need for comprehensive strategies that balance economic development with heritage preservation, enhance community engagement, and improve infrastructure to ensure sustainable tourism growth. The study findings contribute to understanding how Al Ahsa’s historical sites can be leveraged to enhance local identity, pride, and economic growth, which aligns with the broader goals of Saudi Vision 2030.30 0Item Restricted Understanding the role of branding in shaping perceptions of Saudi Arabia as a tourist destination(University of Leeds, 2024-09) Alharthi, Dalia Talal; Papadopoulou, ChristinaThis dissertation aims to understand the role of branding in shaping perceptions of Saudi Arabia as a tourist destination from the citizens’ point of view and to highlight the Vision 2030 goals and how they have affected these perceptions. Given that Saudi Arabia is the second most popular destination for tourists in the Middle East and that the leisure tourism industry is rapidly growing and expanding, it is important to examine the impact of this growing industry local culture. This study is significant as it provides valuable insights into the real perceptions of Saudi Arabian citizens and how these perceptions may shape their future. It also highlights the goals of the promising Vision 2030 and how it will impact the economy and reduce the dependence on oil as an alternative source of revenue. The study used a quantitative research approach, collecting data through a questionnaire survey of 194 Saudi Arabian citizens from different ages and backgrounds, including both the general population and experts in the tourism industry. The results were analysed using the SPSS, and it was concluded that there is significant relationship between variables studied in Saudi Arabia. Overall, the study provides valuable insights into understanding the role of branding in shaping perceptions of Saudi Arabia as a tourist destination and highlights the the potential outcomes.35 0Item Restricted Assessing Environmental Degradation and Sustainability Claims in AlUla City(University of Leicester, 2024) Bakhsh, Talah; Gosh, AdityaThis study explores the impact of tourism activities on biodiversity in AlUla, Saudi Arabia, with a focus on understanding how different tourism components, such as heritage site visitation, infrastructure development, adventure tourism, and event-related activities, affect the region's natural environment. Employing a quantitative research design, the study gathers data from 262 stakeholders, including local residents, tourists, businesses, and environmental organizations. Data was collected through structured questionnaires and analyzed using statistical methods, including descriptive statistics, correlation, and regression analysis. The findings reveal significant correlations between tourism activities and biodiversity degradation, highlighting the role of infrastructure development and adventure tourism in exacerbating environmental pressures. Event-related activities were also found to contribute to biodiversity challenges, though to a lesser degree. These results underscore the need for sustainable tourism practices that balance economic growth with environmental conservation. This study contributes to the growing body of literature on sustainable tourism by providing empirical evidence from the unique context of AlUla, a region rich in cultural heritage and biodiversity. The insights gained offer practical recommendations for policymakers, environmentalists, and tourism stakeholders aiming to develop tourism strategies that mitigate negative environmental impacts while promoting sustainable growth. The study emphasizes the importance of integrating environmental sustainability into tourism planning to preserve the region's biodiversity for future generations.15 0Item Restricted Enhancing the Pilgrimage Experience: An In-depth Analysis of Religious Tourism for Hajj(Middlesex University, 2024-09) Farea, Fahd; Terzidou, MatinaSummary Hajj is one of the most important events in the Islamic calendar, often requiring Muslims to attend the event at least once in their lives. Each year, the event attracts millions of people, leading to congestion especially due to the growing number of unauthorised pilgrims. Although the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah (MHU) is responsible for planning Hajj during the Islamic month of Dhu al-Hijjah from the 8th- 12th day of the month, some of the events have been marred with casualties as stampedes result in thousands of people being injured. Furthermore, the event occurs during the summer which means extreme heat, often affecting the elderly. In recent years, technologies have been used in an attempt to improve the experience and organisation of pilgrims. To investigate the social phenomenon, this study adopted an interpretivist approach through a descriptive design, an inductive approach and qualitative semi structured interviews. The goal was to provide the participants an opportunity to explain their ideas, beliefs and experiences. The current study also includes twelve participants purposively selected from three agencies that organise or facilitate the Hajj experience in one way or another. From the thematic analysis of the interviews, the current research found that the expectations of Hajjis play a crucial role in shaping their experience during the pilgrimage. Finally, the study found that communication challenges from non-Arab speakers particularly, climate issues and infrastructural issues account for some of the main challenges that affect the pilgrim experience for Hajjis in Saudi Arabia.11 0Item Restricted A study of perceptions of Saudi Arabia as a tourism destination, and the implications for the development of incoming tourism.(University Of Reading, 2024-09-04) Alsanie, Alhanouf; Bebek, GayeSaudi Arabia has undertaken several efforts and projects to improve the tourism sector and establish a desirable destination among international visitors, in line with its new vision 2030 to become the primary player in the industry. This research paper examines Saudi Arabia's existing image as an international vacation spot in the eyes of international travellers and pinpoints the variables affecting the growth of the industry. Examining this subject will provide the opportunity to better understand, explore and find answer to the main aim of this research which is, how the world currently perceives Saudi Arabia and how its image is currently perceived by people on the global stage. This research will be done through a qualitative approach by conducting a virtual interview with 12 international travellers from different backgrounds in a way that will allow to have a valuable insights and deep understanding of various people’s perceptions regarding Saudi Arabia. The outcomes of this research will show different perception of Saudi Arabia as a destination for tourism, formed by the influencing factors which could be positive or negative. With these valuable insights and data, we will be able to assess the efficacy and limitations of government efforts and strategies to promote tourism, enhance the image to set ourselves apart from competitors. The finding of this research plays a significant role in transforming and developing the future of tourism industry in Saudi Arabia to become an appealing global destination for tourists.31 0Item Restricted The Economic Ripple Effect of Tourism: Insights from Saudi Arabia's Growth and Local Communities(University of Glasgow, 2024) Alatif, Munis; Patrizia, RigantiThe research aimed to measure tourism's impact on Saudi Arabia by investigating the industry's ability to contribute to the country's GDP, create new job opportunities, and impact the local community. The research approach also used secondary data methodology, which used two approaches to collect the data on tourism impact: quantitative and qualitative methods. The research found that the tourism industry in Saudi Arabia has both direct and indirect impacts on Saudi Arabia. As a result, tourism contributed to the total GDP of Saudi Arabia between 2019 to 2022 by 3.8 to 3.0% as a direct impact. Moreover, the study showed the links between the number of tourists, tourist spending, and employment opportunities related to economic growth in Saudi Arabia, which might have an indirect impact on the tourism industry in Saudi Arabia. However, in addition to its positive impact, the tourism sector had a negative effect on the Saudi Arabian community, particularly on the cultural structure. Thus, this report represents the impact of tourism on social, cutlery, and policy strategy in Saudi Arabia how the kingdom shifted the economy from oil sources to the non-oil sector, and how the government reduced the cultural harm from tourism practice. This work not only provides a comprehensive understanding of the social economy and the tourism industry's impact on Saudi Arabia but also offers practical insights and recommendations. It presents a detailed analysis of the Saudi government's strategies and the current state, potentials, strategy, and forward insights for sustainable tourism development. By doing so, this study not only enhances our understanding of the impact of the tourism industry in Saudi Arabia but also provides valuable guidance for future policy and strategy development in the country26 0Item Restricted THE IMPACT OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION ON THE TOURISM SECTOR IN THE KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARABIA(Bournemouth University, 0024-05-24) Alrashdi, Mohammed Sulaiman; ShivaThe research is based on the importance of public transportation development and its impact on the tourism industry of Saudi Arabia (SA). It highlights the impact of developing the transport facility that can help in attracting the potential tourist from the UK. SA has potential tourist destination in the country that makes it one of the major tourist spot for the visitors around the globe. The research questions have identified in the research that highlights various aspects of the research topic. In the theoretical framework, the innovation and future development process of SA’s public transportation system highlights the adoption of new technologies and scientific techniques. The developed strategies of public transportation in tourism contribute to enhance its profitability. The strategies of Tourism marketing follow and understand the needs and expectations of customers for online bookings, focusing on mobile, as well as optimized market. Sustainable tourism widely focuses on schemes to create a low carbon as well as encourage travel. Scientific Management Theory and Diffusion of Innovation Theory develop new ideas and practices of tourism key concepts. The research methodology introduces the concept and benefits of positivism research philosophy, deductive research approach, and descriptive research design. The data collection method is done through primary quantitative method from survey. Reliability and validity are used in research study for maintain accuracy and consistency of research study. Random sampling is used for collecting responses from 155 people working in Saudi Arabian tourism sector. Ethical considerations are used in research paper to protect it from any type of harm. Findings and discussion of the research topic is by conducting an online survey among 155 participants regarding the 11 questionnaires. Public Transport helps in reducing carbon emissions and traffic congestion in the country for tourist’s attraction that are environment conscious. The development of Saudi vision 2030 strategy focuses on developing the sector of tourists. The outcome of the research has been identified. It identifies that development and innovation of the PT system improves tourism comfort ability and safety. Some recommendations on the development of PT have also been given; the future scope and research limitation have also been identified here.46 0