With an aspirational vision and a spectacular revival in tourism, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is progressively establishing itself as a global leader in this field, heralding a new era of affluence and global connectivity.
Moreover, the Kingdom has drawn millions of tourists from all over the world by showcasing its historic culture and stunning natural surroundings, making it one of the most well-known global tourist attractions.
According to the United Nations Tourism Organization‘s most recent data, which covers the period from the beginning of 2024 to the end of July and compares figures for the same period in 2019, Saudi Arabia topped the list of G20 countries in terms of growth rates for both the number of foreign tourists and tourism revenues. The country saw increases of 73% and 207%, respectively, in these categories.
Further, the number of foreign visitors to the Kingdom’s tourism spots increased dramatically, according to reports; in the first seven months of 2024, there were around 17.5 million foreign visitors.
Key Achievements at G20 and UNWTO Forums
Speaking on this, Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Tourism, Ahmed Al-Khateeb, clarified that the country’s position atop the G20 list in terms of growing visitor numbers is a result of the leadership’s guidance and unwavering support.
Al-Khatib emphasised the value of fostering sustainable tourism by offering experiences that reflect cultural diversity during his participation in the United Nations Tourism Organisation Forum, which took place on the fringes of the G20 Tourism Ministers’ Meeting in Brazil. He cited the Kingdom’s accomplishments in programs like Diriyah and Al-Ula in uplifting the local community.
On another note, Al-Khatib highlighted the Kingdom’s dedication to hiring women and young people in the tourism industry, stating that Saudi Vision 2030 aims to make this industry a catalyst for social change. The Kingdom has made large investments in skill development, including 375 million Saudi riyals to foster young people’s creativity and leadership and to assist entrepreneurs.
As he pointed out, Saudi Arabia had a notable increase in the number of positions held by women in the tourist industry in 2022 and ranked fifth out of the G20 in terms of women’s participation rate. This suggests that the tourism industry offers women a great deal of employment opportunities.
Interestingly, the number of tourists visiting Saudi Arabia increased by 56% from 2019 to 27.4 million in 2023, placing it as the country with the highest growth rate for international travel. The travel account saw a record surplus of 48 billion Saudi riyals, or 12.8 billion dollars, up 38% from the previous year.
IMF Report Highlights KSA’s Tourism Boom
The International Monetary Fund acknowledged the significant growth in Saudi Arabia’s tourist industry in its most recent report, in September 2024 saw its release. The IMF attributed these gains to the Kingdom’s efforts to diversify its economy through Saudi Vision 2030.
The report focused on the initiatives taken to position the tourism industry as an essential component of the Kingdom’s economic expansion, highlighting measures to accelerate expenditure and tourist numbers while also creating jobs and boosting the GDP.
