Riyadh, January 20, 2024, The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has achieved a remarkable surge in tourism, as revealed by the January report from the World Tourism Organization (WTO) barometer. In 2023, the Kingdom experienced a staggering 156% increase in tourist arrivals compared to 2019, a feat attributed to the global resurgence in the tourism sector.
Notably, the Middle East stands out as the sole region to achieve tourism growth at pre-pandemic levels, witnessing a 122% increase in tourists in 2023 compared to 2019. The WTO report highlights a global tourism recovery rate of 88% in 2023, representing an estimated 1.3 billion arrivals. International tourism revenues reached $1.3 trillion, nearing 93% of the $1.5 trillion achieved in 2019.
The direct contribution of tourism to the global GDP in 2023 is estimated at 3%, amounting to $3.3 trillion. The WTO anticipates a full global tourism recovery from the pandemic by 2024, with a projected 2% growth compared to 2019.
Reports from the WTO underscore the significant contribution of Saudi Arabia's tourism sector to the economy. In 2023, the Kingdom led the G20 countries in the number of arriving tourists and ranked second among the world's fastest-growing tourist destinations in the first three quarters of the previous year.
Multiple tourist destinations within the Kingdom witnessed a substantial increase in both domestic and foreign visitors in 2023, setting new records in spending by international visitors. Data from the Central Bank of Saudi Arabia (SAMA) indicates that tourism revenues exceeded SAR100 billion in the first three quarters of 2023, surpassing the initial estimate of SAR37.8 billion and reflecting a remarkable 72% increase over the corresponding period in 2022.
These achievements solidify the Kingdom's distinguished position as a global tourist destination, underscoring travelers' confidence in the country's diverse and appealing tourism offerings. The upward trajectory of tourism in Saudi Arabia signifies not only economic growth but also the increasing global recognition of the Kingdom as a premier travel destination.
