Saudi Arabia records a SR49.8 billion travel surplus in 2024, driven by SR153.6 billion in visitor spending

RIYADH April 4, 2025 — Saudi Arabia achieved a record-breaking travel surplus of SR49.8 billion in 2024, as reported by the Saudi Central Bank, reflecting an all-time high in its balance of payments.

This figure eclipsed the prior peak of SR46 billion set in 2023, showing a year-on-year rise of about 8.3%.

The increase was largely fueled by a substantial uptick in expenditures from international tourists visiting the Kingdom.

In 2024, spending by inbound visitors climbed to an unprecedented SR153.6 billion, up from SR135 billion in 2023 — a 13.8% jump.

At the same time, spending on outbound travel by Saudi residents also grew.

Saudi travelers expended SR103.8 billion overseas in 2024, compared to SR88 billion the year before, marking an 18% increase.