Saudi Arabia continues to top the list of G20 countries in terms of the growth rate of international tourists and the increase in international tourism revenue, based on the latest data for the first seven months of 2024 compared to the same period in 2019. The kingdom recorded a 73% increase in international tourists and a 207% surge in international tourism revenue, as per the September 2024 report from the United Nations World Tourism Organization.
Tourist destinations across the kingdom have seen a significant rise in international visitors this year, with approximately 17.5 million tourists arriving from abroad during the first seven months of 2024.
In 2023, Saudi Arabia experienced a 56% growth in international tourist numbers compared to 2019, with a total of 27.4 million tourists. This growth placed Saudi Arabia at the top of the United Nations Tourism Organization’s list for international tourist growth in 2023 among major tourist destinations. Additionally, the travel account in the balance of payments recorded a historic surplus of 48 billion riyals in 2023, marking a 38% annual increase.
Earlier, the International Monetary Fund (IMF), in its report from September following the conclusion of the “Article IV Consultations 2024,” praised the substantial and unprecedented achievements made by the tourism sector in Saudi Arabia as part of Vision 2030. The report particularly commended the efforts to diversify the economic base in the services sector, highlighting tourism as one of the most significant sectors. This sector recorded the highest levels in visitor numbers, spending, job creation, and contribution to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
These achievements reinforce Saudi Arabia’s position as a leading global tourist destination and reflect the continuous growth in the number of incoming tourists, underscoring their confidence in the kingdom’s attractive and diverse tourism options.
