Saudi Arabia has achieved a remarkable 156 per cent growth in international tourist arrivals in 2023 compared to 2019, marking a significant milestone in the global tourism recovery, as reported by the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO).
The Middle East is the only region to have achieved tourism growth at pre-pandemic levels receiving 122 per cent more tourists in 2023 than in 2019.
The global rate of tourism recovery in 2023 reached 88 per cent of pre-pandemic levels, with an estimated 1.3 billion arrivals. International tourism revenues approached $1.3 trillion, nearly 93 per cent of the $1.5 trillion achieved in 2019.
UNWTO estimates the direct contribution of tourism to the global GDP in 2023 at 3 per cent, reaching $3.3 trillion. The organization anticipates a full recovery of global tourism from the pandemic in 2024, with an expected growth of 2 per cent compared to 2019.
Reports issued by UNWTO show a significant contribution of the tourism sector in the Kingdom to the economy; the Kingdom topped the G20 countries’ number of arriving tourists in 2023 and ranked second among the fastest-growing tourist destinations in the world in the first three quarters of last year.
Key tourist destinations in Saudi Arabia experienced a substantial surge in both domestic and foreign visitors in 2023, setting new records in spending by international visitors. According to data from the Central Bank of Saudi Arabia (SAMA), tourism revenues exceeded SAR 100 billion for the first three quarters of 2023, surpassing the initial estimate of SAR 37.8 billion and reflecting a remarkable 72 per cent increase over the same period in 2022.
These achievements solidify Saudi Arabia’s position as a global tourist destination, showcasing the confidence of travellers in the country’s diverse and appealing tourism options.
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