The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has set a new precedent in the global travel sector by successfully attracting a record number of 100 million tourists, earning praise from the Arab Tourism Organization (ATO). This accomplishment positions Saudi Arabia as an exemplar in the international tourism landscape.
The ATO acknowledged the strategic efforts of the Saudi Ministry of Tourism in leveraging the travel and hospitality sector as a vital instrument for diversifying the nation’s economic revenue streams. This strategy aligns with the aspirations outlined in Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030.
The achievement of this tourism milestone was further attributed to the collaborative endeavors between the kingdom’s public and private sectors. Notably, the influx of tourists in 2023 surpassed the anticipated target for 2030, with visitor spending also exceeding SAR250 billion.
The ATO emphasized the substantial role of the tourism industry in generating employment, particularly for the Saudi youth, with approximately 925,500 job positions being introduced.
Furthermore, the tourism sector has seen a robust increase in the number of visitors to the kingdom, with figures reaching 100 million by the conclusion of 2023. This marks a 12% rise from the previous year, and significantly, international tourist arrivals saw a 65% increase during this interval, totaling 27.4 million.