Saudi Arabia sets target to attract 150 million tourists

Thursday, February 29, 2024

Saudi Arabia has garnered global acclaim from the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) and the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) for its extraordinary achievement of welcoming over 100 million tourists in 2023.

This remarkable feat, achieved seven years ahead of the kingdom’s initial 2030 target, underscores Saudi Arabia’s rapidly growing influence as a major player in the international tourism sector.

The Ministry of Tourism in Saudi Arabia proudly announced this milestone, highlighting the kingdom’s successful acceleration towards becoming a global tourism hub. This accomplishment not only surpasses the previous goal set for 2030 but also sets a new ambitious target of attracting 150 million tourists by the same year. The significant influx of both domestic and international tourists in 2023, which led to an expenditure surpassing 250 billion riyals, underscores the pivotal role of tourism in diversifying and strengthening the Saudi economy, contributing over 4% to the GDP and 7% to the non-oil GDP.

H.E. Minister Ahmed Al Khateeb reflected on the transformative journey of Saudi Arabia’s tourism sector, emphasizing its critical role in the nation’s economic transformation aligned with Vision 2030. The minister’s statement highlighted the concerted efforts and strategic partnerships with UNWTO and WTTC, which have been instrumental in achieving sustainable growth and prosperity in the tourism sector.

Saudi Arabia’s National Tourism Strategy, launched five years ago, has been at the forefront of this transformative agenda, focusing on developing diverse tourist destinations, enriching tourist experiences, and enhancing hospitality and service standards. The strategy aims to not only diversify options for visitors but also to elevate the kingdom’s tourism sector to global benchmarks.

In 2023, the total number of tourists visiting Saudi Arabia soared to 106.2 million, marking a 56% increase from 2019 and a 12% growth from 2022. Notably, the international tourist arrivals reached 27.4 million, achieving a 56% rise from 2019 and a staggering 65% increase from the previous year.

These figures reflect the kingdom’s successful efforts in expanding its tourism appeal, improving the quality of life for its residents, and enhancing Saudi Arabia’s standing on the global tourism map. The kingdom’s ambitious approach and strategic initiatives are set to redefine its tourism landscape, contributing to a prosperous and sustainable future for its economy and its people.

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