Saturday, November 9, 2024 The increase is fueled by a notable rise in international tourists and substantial gains in tourism revenue. Saudi Arabia has climbed 15 spots, reaching 12th place worldwide in tourism spending for 2023, as reported by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO). This leap represents the most substantial improvement among the top 50 countries, underscoring the Kingdom’s commitment to enhancing its tourism sector within the framework of its Vision 2030 agenda.
The report spotlighted Saudi Arabia’s impressive 73 percent increase in international visitors and a remarkable 207 percent surge in tourism revenue from January to July 2024, compared to the same period in 2019. The UNWTO recognized Saudi Arabia’s advancements in tourism as a key step toward becoming a premier global destination. The report revealed that in 2023, Saudi tourism spending surpassed US$37 billion, driven by expanded hotel capacity.
From January to July 2024, around 17.5 million international tourists visited the Kingdom, with 2023 welcoming a total of 27.4 million visitors—an impressive 56 percent growth compared to 2019.
This surge places Saudi Arabia among the fastest-growing destinations worldwide. Additionally, Saudi Arabia recorded a tourism surplus of SAR48 billion (US$12.8 billion) in 2023, marking a 38 percent rise from the previous year.
This achievement aligns with Vision 2030, which aims to diversify the Kingdom’s economic foundation. The Internation.
