In the first six months of 2023, Saudi Arabia witnessed a significant increase in visitor arrivals, with the number reaching 14.2 million, marking a 142% jump compared to the same period in the previous year.
The Saudi Ministry of Tourism reported a corresponding rise in tourism-related expenditure, with international travellers spending an estimated SR86.9 billion ($23.17 billion), a 132% increase from the year before.
Domestic tourism also experienced robust activity, with approximately 39 million local tourists contributing SR63.1 million to the economy within this timeframe.
The Ministry noted a particularly strong upswing in leisure travel, which soared by 347% in the first half of 2023 compared to the first half of 2022. Leisure travel constituted the majority of visits, representing 43% of all domestic tourist activity, with 16.6 million trips.
Growth was also evident in outbound tourism, which saw a 37% increase in travelers and a 74% surge in spending compared to the first half of the previous year. The uptick was attributed to the relaxation of global travel restrictions, as well as the commencement of the summer season and school holidays in June.
Nearly half of the outbound tourists were non-Saudi residents, who accounted for two-thirds of the total outbound tourism expenditure.
Originally, the Kingdom’s National Tourism Strategy aimed to draw 100 million tourists annually by 2030. This target was later revised to 150 million visitors as Saudi tourist destinations began to gain international recognition. This statement was confirmed by the Kingdom’s Foreign Minister, who also announced plans for an investment of over $800 billion in the tourism sector over the next decade.
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Photo top of page – Tourists at Wahba Crater – by STA
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