In light of the rapid growth of the tourism sector in Saudi Arabia, it has become imperative to innovate technological solutions that connect visitors with local tourist experiences, especially with Vision 2030, which aims to enhance tourism's contribution to the GDP. From here, the importance of Feasibility study for a tourism project A digital application for booking “local experiences” that allows tourists and residents to discover the cultural, social, and recreational side of Saudi cities.

Project Idea

The idea is to launch a digital tourism app similar to “Airbnb Experiences” but exclusively for Saudi experiences, such as:

• Traditional Saudi Cooking Classes
• Sightseeing walking tours in old or modern neighborhoods
• Photography workshops in the desert or heritage sites
• Short trips in nature (camping, hiking)
• Discussion sessions with local residents or artists

Location and geographic scope

The application will be entirely digital and will cover all regions of Saudi Arabia, starting from major cities (Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam) and extending to emerging tourist destinations such as AlUla, NEOM, Asir, and Taif.

The importance of a project feasibility study

The feasibility study aims to analyze the following elements:

1. Market study: Expected demand, and competitor analysis.
2. Investment costApplication development cost, operational costs.
3. Expected returnsProfit sources such as commissions and subscriptions.
4. ChallengesLike building trust with regulators and strong app marketing.

Preliminary financial study

Item	Estimated Cost (in Saudi Riyals)
App Development (iOS + Android)	150,000
Servers and technical support	30,000 annually
Digital Marketing	100,000 first 6 months
Administrative and Technical Team	300,000 annually
Partnerships and Content Licensing	50,000
Total initial investment	630,000 Saudi Riyal

Expected revenue streams

• A commission for every experience booked through the app (e.g., 20%)
• Monthly subscriptions for event organizers to showcase their featured activities
• In-app ads for complementary tourism services (transportation, accommodation, restaurants)

According to data Saudi Ministry of TourismFrom January through the end of July 2024, the Kingdom welcomed 17.5 million international tourists, an increase of 101% compared to the same period in 2023, and an increase of 731% compared to the same period in 2019. . 

Another suggested topic: How to implement a project idea with a marketing feasibility study

Marketing Plan

The marketing plan is the cornerstone of the success of the “Local Experience App” project, especially since it relies on attracting a diverse audience of tourists and residents, in addition to encouraging local experience organizers to showcase their services through the platform. This plan aims to achieve wide reach, build trust, and enhance engagement on the platform, through a comprehensive and multi-channel marketing strategy:

1. Targeted ads on social media platforms

Well-thought-out advertising campaigns will be carried out on platforms such as:

• SnapchatDue to its popularity in Saudi Arabia, especially among the 18-35 age group, short video ads will be used to promote tourism experiences in an entertaining and engaging style.
• InstagramAn ideal platform for showcasing high-quality photos and videos documenting experiences. Travelers and those interested in cultural activities will be targeted.
• TikTokTo promote unique experiences through short videos based on stories and adventures to attract new users.

Users will be targeted based on their interests (travel, adventures, food, photography, local culture) as well as geographic locations where tourists and residents are frequent.

1. Collaborating with Tourism and Adventure Influencers

Influencer campaigns are an effective element in attracting attention and building immediate credibility, and from here will be:

• Cooperation with Famous Saudi influencers In the field of travel, journeys, and photography, to showcase real experiences through the app.
• Encouraging influencers to Taking real-life experience tours From the app and documenting it in a story format, including a direct link to register for each experience.
• Customization discount code Exclusive to each influencer for their followers, which increases the conversion rate and provides us with accurate data on the performance of each partnership.

1. Public Relations and Official Partnerships

It is important to enhance the institutional presence of the project, so the plan includes:

• Partnership with the Saudi Tourism Authority or the “Spirit of Saudi Arabia” program to obtain official support and joint promotion across national platforms.
• Cooperation with Visitor Centers and Local Hotels To place brochures or QR codes for the app.
• Send press releases To Saudi newspapers and news websites specializing in economy, tourism, and technology.
• Participation in tourism events locals such as “Riyadh Season,” “Winter at Tantora,” and others to introduce the application and for field registration.

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• Motivating trial organizers to promote the app themselves

Organizers are a key partner for success, so it is essential to incentivize them to promote the app through their own channels, and this is done through:

• Introduction Attractive profit margin For every booking made through them.
• Providing ready-made marketing tools such as “posters,” “Instagram stories,” and “QR codes” customized for them.
• Enable the organizer to Track performance and sales statistics Through an easy-to-use dashboard.
• Organization Periodic competitions Between the organizers, who brings the most users or gets the best reviews.
• Introduction Short online training courses They help them improve the way they deliver experiences and attract customers.

Suggested additional strategies

• User Loyalty ProgramFrequent users receive points or discounts for repeat bookings.
• Google Ads To target people looking for tourism experiences within Saudi Arabia.
• Advertisements within other tourism appslike weather apps, maps, or transportation.

 

Competitive advantages of the project

The application has Local Experience App A set of competitive advantages that distinguish it from other global or local applications, giving it a strong opportunity for widespread adoption and success in the Saudi market, especially in light of the accelerated growth of the tourism sector.

 

• Focus solely on authentic Saudi experiences

The application relies entirely on providing Saudi Local Experiments 100%This creates unique added value for visitors seeking authentic interaction with Saudi culture. These experiences include traditional cuisine, historical stories, tours of old neighborhoods, and heritage activities that are difficult to find on international platforms, thereby strengthening national identity and increasing the appeal of the content.

 

• Supporting local orientation in empowering Saudi guides and organizers

The app offers a realistic opportunity for local organizers with skills and experience to share their experiences and earn additional income, in line with Vision 2030. Empowering individuals and strengthening the local economy. In addition to providing support and training tools to help them master the delivery of experiences.

 

• In-app booking and payment capability, easily and securely

The app provides a seamless user experience in terms of Search for experiences, review details, book, and pay online Through secure and integrated gateways. This feature increases user confidence and reduces the need for communication or booking outside the platform, contributing to higher conversion and customer retention rates.

 

• High-quality visual content that documents experiences and motivates users

The application relies on displaying experiences through Professional photos and short videos It realistically and engagingly reflects the essence of each experience. This method helps to visually attract users and motivate them to explore and book the experience, especially in a digital environment that relies heavily on visual stimuli.

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Challenges and Solutions

Challenge	Proposed solution
Attract unique experience organizers	Offer them financial incentives and educational content.
Gain user trust	User reviews + flexible cancellation guarantees
Competition from global apps	Excellence in local content privacy
Wide geographic coverage	Gradual expansion starting from major cities

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

• Does the project require a permit from a government agency?

Yes, the project requires a license from the Saudi Ministry of Tourism, and possibly an e-platform license from the Ministry of Commerce.

• What is the difference between this app and Airbnb Experiences?

This app focuses solely on authentic Saudi experiences, offering local organizers opportunities to showcase their experiences with appropriate linguistic and cultural support.

• What type of customers are you targeting?

Local and international tourists, residents interested in Saudi culture, adventure enthusiasts, and photography and nature lovers.

• Does the project need external funding?

Initial funding from investors or government support programs (such as Monsha'at or TourismTech) is preferred.

 

Summary

The “Local Experience App” is a promising digital tourism project that aligns with the Kingdom's objectives in developing tourism and promoting local content. The feasibility study shows that the market is eager for this type of application, provided that attention is paid to the quality of execution and continuous marketing. If implemented correctly, this project could be a leading platform at the Kingdom and regional level.

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