Saudi Arabia has received international recognition from the United Nations World Tourism
Organization (UNWTO) and the World Travel; Tourism Council (WTTC) for a remarkable
achievement in the tourism sector. In 2023, the Kingdom welcomed over 100 million tourists, significantly surpassing its previous target set for 2030. This accomplishment positions Saudi Arabia as an emerging global tourism powerhouse, seven years ahead of schedule, according to the latest data from the Ministry of Tourism.
Setting New Ambitious Targets:
Motivated by this success, Saudi Arabia has now set a new, ambitious target of welcoming 150 million tourists by 2030. Tourism has proven to be a significant contributor to the nation’s economy, with domestic and international tourists spending over 250 billion riyals in 2023. This expenditure represents over 4% of the Kingdom’s GDP and 7% of its non-oil GDP, reflecting the crucial role of tourism in diversifying Saudi Arabia’s economy.
Comments from the Minister of Tourism:
H.E. Minister Ahmed Al Khateeb commented on the milestone, saying, “This announcement
demonstrates the scale of our transformation since the National Tourism Strategy was launched five years ago. Tourism is a key pillar in the nation’s economic transformation under Vision 2030, creating jobs and revenue for the Kingdom. We thank both UN Tourism and WTTC as valued partners in our journey for their shared commitment to a sustainable and prosperous tourism sector.”
Aligning with International Standards:
The tourism ecosystem in Saudi Arabia continues to operate in line with the national tourism strategy by developing diverse tourist destinations. The aim is to enrich the experiences of tourists, diversify options for both local and international visitors, and enhance hospitality facilities along with other services provided. We are committed to aligning with top-tier international experiences and practices.
This approach contributes to shaping a prosperous future for our tourism industry, improving the quality of life, and bolstering the Kingdom’s position on the global tourism map said the Minister.
Significant Growth in Tourism:
The tourism sector in the Kingdom has marked significant qualitative leaps. The total number of tourists, both domestic and international, reached 106.2 million in 2023. This represents a remarkable increase of 56% compared to 2019 and a substantial 12% surge compared to 2022. Among these, the number of international tourists reached 27.4 million, showing a substantial 56% increase from 2019 and an impressive 65% rise compared to 2022.
Economic Impact and Future Prospects:
Tourism’s contribution to the Saudi economy is substantial. In 2023, the spending by tourists exceeded 250 billion riyals, translating to over 4% of the national GDP and 7% of the non-oil GDP.
This underscores the importance of tourism in the Kingdom’s economic diversification efforts, as outlined in Vision 2030. By achieving this milestone ahead of schedule, Saudi Arabia has demonstrated its capacity to transform its tourism sector rapidly and effectively.
Conclusion:
Saudi Arabia’s achievement of welcoming over 100 million tourists in 2023 has set a new benchmark for the Kingdom’s tourism industry. With an ambitious new target of 150 million tourists by 2030, the Kingdom continues to develop its tourism infrastructure and services to provide top-tier experiences for visitors. The commitment to enhancing the tourism sector aligns with Saudi Arabia’s broader economic goals, contributing to job creation, economic diversification, and an improved quality of life for its citizens.