The Saudi Tourism Authority has appointed Ageel Alshaibani as its new Chief Executive Officer. Alshaibani takes up the role on 2 September as Saudi Arabia continues to expand its tourism sector under Vision 2030.
Ageel Alshaibani brings 18 years of experience
Alshaibani joins the Saudi Tourism Authority after serving as Deputy Minister of Tourism for Strategic Planning and Monitoring. In that role, he contributed to the development and implementation of the National Tourism Strategy.
He also worked on several strategic initiatives aimed at advancing Saudi Arabia’s tourism sector and meeting its targets. His experience spans strategic planning, business development, management consulting, public services, healthcare and executive leadership.
Before joining the Ministry of Tourism in 2023, Alshaibani was Chief Strategy Officer at the Mohammed bin Salman Foundation, also known as Misk. He held the position from 2020 to 2023.
Previously, Alshaibani spent nearly five years at McKinsey & Company. He served as an Associate Partner during his time at the firm.
Earlier in his career, Alshaibani held leadership and advisory roles at the Saudi Ministry of Health, Elixir Management Consulting and Charles River Associates. He also worked in commercial marketing at Al Safi Danone.
In addition, Alshaibani held finance roles at the General Investment Authority’s economic cities programme and Procter & Gamble. His career has therefore covered both public and private sector roles across several industries.
Alshaibani’s board and sector experience
Alongside his executive roles, Alshaibani has held board and committee positions across Saudi Arabia’s tourism, entertainment, aviation and sports sectors.
He is a board member of the Saudi Tourism Authority, Saudi Red Sea Authority, Jeddah Airports Company and General Entertainment Authority. He also serves as President of the Saudi Swimming Federation.
Alshaibani has also been involved in the Saudi Air Connectivity Program. His existing board and sector responsibilities have given him experience across several areas linked to Saudi Arabia’s tourism ecosystem.
Saudi Tourism Authority leadership mandate
As Chief Executive Officer, Alshaibani will lead the Saudi Tourism Authority as the Kingdom works to attract more international visitors. He will also support efforts to strengthen the tourism ecosystem and advance the wider objectives of Vision 2030.
The source states that Saudi Arabia has been investing in destinations, hospitality, aviation connectivity and major tourism projects. These efforts form part of the Kingdom’s work to increase tourism’s contribution to the economy.
Alshaibani’s appointment follows his previous work within the Ministry of Tourism. His experience in strategic planning and monitoring also connects directly with the National Tourism Strategy.
Saudi Tourism Authority’s tourism role
The Saudi Tourism Authority is the organisation that Alshaibani will lead in his new role. The source places the authority within Saudi Arabia’s wider tourism expansion under Vision 2030.
The Kingdom is seeking to attract more international visitors while developing its tourism ecosystem. Investment has also focused on destinations, hospitality, aviation connectivity and major tourism projects.
Alshaibani’s appointment adds an executive with experience across government strategy, tourism, investment and business development to the authority’s leadership.
Education and professional background
Alshaibani holds a Master’s degree in Marketing and Management from the University of Bradford School of Management in the UK. He also holds a Bachelor’s degree in Finance from the University of Business & Technology in Saudi Arabia.
His professional background combines finance, consulting, government strategy and executive leadership. Since joining the Ministry of Tourism in 2023, he has also worked on tourism strategy and sector initiatives.
The Saudi Tourism Authority will now be led by Alshaibani as Saudi Arabia continues its efforts to expand tourism and support the sector’s contribution to the economy.
