Saudi Arabia’s tourism sector has witnessed a 132% year-on-year increase in revenue, reaching a staggering SAR 150 billion ($40 billion) in the first half of 2023.
This significant growth, as reported by the Saudi Ministry of Tourism, highlights the sector’s robust recovery and expansion.
The kingdom saw a historic rise in incoming tourism during the first six months of 2023, with a 142% increase in tourist numbers and a 132% rise in tourist spending compared to the same period in 2022.
The total number of tourists (overnight visitors for various purposes) in the first half of 2023 reached 53.6 million, comprising 14.6 million international tourists and 39 million domestic tourists.
The total tourism expenditure amounted to SAR 150 billion, with international tourism contributing 86.9 billion Riyals and domestic tourism SAR 63.1 billion.
The continuous development in Saudi Arabia’s tourism sector has led to an overall increase in the number of incoming tourists for various purposes, with leisure and holiday visits showing the most significant growth, a staggering 347% increase compared to the first half of 2022.
Domestic tourism also registered a significant increase in spending by 16% in the first half of 2023 compared to the same period in 2022.
This rise is attributed to an increase in the average length of stay, from 4.6 nights in the first half of 2022 to 6.3 nights in 2023. Leisure and holiday visits topped the purpose of visits, accounting for about 16.6 million tourists, representing 43% of the total number of tourists and an 18% increase from the first half of 2022.
Furthermore, outbound tourism from Saudi Arabia saw a 37% increase in the number of departing tourists, both citizens and non-Saudi residents, compared to the same period in 2022. Their tourism spending also rose by 74% during the same period.
This increase in outbound tourist numbers is mainly due to the normalization of travel conditions globally post-pandemic, coupled with the onset of the summer season and school holidays in June.
