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Tourist arrivals in Saudi surged 61% in 9M 2024 compared to 2019, ranking third globally in terms of growth, behind Qatar (+141%) and Albania (+77%), according to the UN World Tourism Barometer report (pdf). The Kingdom welcomed 27.4 mn foreign tourists in 2023, up 64.8% y-o-y.
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We have big tourism ambitions: The Tourism Ministry doubled its 2030 tourism target to 150 mn tourist trips earlier this year, after hitting the 100 mn milestone ahead of schedule, with the new target including 80 mn domestic and 70 mn international travelers. The government is also investing some USD 800 bn into the tourism sector under plans to build new future destinations at Neom, the Red Sea, Diriyah, and Qiddiya, among others.
ICYMI- The Tourism Ministry, earlier this year, kicked off the Tourism Investment Enablers Program, which looks to streamline licensing for local and foreign investors in Saudi tourism, with a particular focus on the hospitality sector.
The region also fared well: The Middle East continued to lead global recovery and retained its 7M position as the world’s “strongest-growing region,” with 9M arrivals up 29% from pre-pandemic levels, outperforming Africa (+6%), Europe (+1%), the Americas, Asia and the Pacific regions.
International passenger traffic fully recovered to return to pre-pandemic levels last September, with international air capacity reaching 99% of 2019 levels, the report reads.
