One of the Kingdom's pillars of Vision 2030, tourism to and within Saudi Arabia has seen a significant rise in the last number of years.
Remarkable Growth in International Arrivals
Saudi Arabia's tourism sector continues to thrive, with a remarkable 73% increase in international tourist arrivals, and a staggering 207% growth in international tourism revenues, according to the World Tourism Barometer by UN Tourism.
According to the data, international tourism has returned to equal levels when compared to pre-Pandemic levels, as between January and July of this year, an "estimated 790 million tourists travelled internationally in the first seven months of 2024, about 11% more than in 2023, though 4% less than in 2019."
Tourism to Middle East Continues to Grow
Although plenty of regions around the world have experienced an uptick in tourism levels, the data released by the World Tourism Barometer points out that the Middle East has remained the strongest-growing region year on year, with international arrivals climbing 26% above 2019 levels, in the first seven months of 2024.
The Kingdom's unwavering commitment to developing its tourism industry has paid off handsomely, and continues to do so. In the first seven months of 2024 alone, the number of international tourists reached an impressive 17.5 million. This surge only lends to further solidify Saudi Arabia as a top tourist destination, attracting visitors from around the globe.
In 2023, the Kingdom's tourism sector witnessed an equally impressive growth rate, with a 56% increase in international tourist arrivals compared to 2019. This achievement earned Saudi Arabia the top spot in the UN Tourism Data Dashboard's index of the growth rate of international tourists for major tourist destinations.
The positive impact of tourism on the Saudi economy is evident in the travel account balance of payments, which recorded a historic surplus of 48 billion riyals in 2023. This represents an annual increase of 38%, demonstrating the significant contribution of tourism to the Kingdom's economic prosperity.
Plenty of Reasons to Visit Saudi
With numerous exciting events such as Riyadh Season and the Jeddah Eprix, cultural activities like AlUla Skies Festival alongside a bevvy of newly introduced and renewed direct flight routes connecting both the Far East and Europe with the Kingdom, and an easier visa process, tourists continue to see Saudi Arabia as a viable, go-to and accessible tourism destination.
As Saudi Arabia continues to invest in tourism infrastructure, develop new attractions, and promote the country as a global destination, it is poised to further strengthen its position as a leading player in the international tourism market.
