Thursday, October 3, 2024 Saudi Arabia’s leisure tourism sector thrives, welcoming 17.5 million international visitors in 2024, a 656% increase since 2019, showcasing remarkable growth and appeal. Saudi Arabia’s leisure tourism sector is witnessing an extraordinary surge, with the Ministry of Tourism reporting a remarkable influx of 17.
5 million international visitors between January and July 2024. This figure represents a staggering 656 percent increase compared to 2019 and a notable 10 percent rise from the same timeframe in 2023. Moreover, the tourism landscape has grown significantly, with a 73 percent increase in visitor numbers since 2019, underscoring the Kingdom’s efforts to position itself as a premier global destination.
The demand for entertainment and leisure activities has also seen substantial growth, with a year-on-year increase of 25 percent in tourists arriving for these experiences. Approximately 4.2 million visitors flocked to Saudi Arabia specifically for leisure purposes.
The introduction of the first tourism visa in 2019 has been instrumental in this transformation, acting as a catalyst for international arrivals. This strategic move reflects the Kingdom’s commitment to enhancing its tourism offerings, aiming to attract 100 million visitors by 2030—a goal that was impressively achieved in 2023, seven years ahead of the initial timeline. Saudi Arabia’s tourism strategy has gained international acclaim, with the UN World Tourism Barometer recog.