Saudi Arabia's Tourism Sector Achieves Milestone With 60 Million Visitors In Early 2024

Minister of Tourism Ahmed bin Aqeel Al-Khateeb discussed the advancements in Saudi Arabia's tourism sector, crediting the support from King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. The sector saw 60 million tourists and SR143 billion in spending in the first half of 2024, based on initial data.

During a press conference by the Saudi Center for International Communication in Abha City, Asir region, Al-Khateeb highlighted Vision 2030's focus on tourism as a key economic driver. He said, "Vision 2030 focuses on enhancing the tourism sector as a key driver for economic and social development." The National Tourism Strategy, introduced in September 2019, encourages exploring Saudi Arabia's diverse regions.

The strategy aims to attract over 150 million tourists by 2030. Last year, Saudi Arabia welcomed 109 million local and international tourists. This growth is expected to boost tourism's GDP share to 10% by 2030 and increase employment from around 650,000 jobs in 2019 to 1.6 million jobs by then.

Al-Khateeb emphasized the Tourism Development Fund's crucial role in financing significant projects. The fund has provided SR7.4 billion to support over 100 projects across various regions, with a total value exceeding SR35 billion. He also stressed developing skills among Saudi men and women in the tourism sector.

A special budget has been allocated to train nationals in collaboration with top institutions in Switzerland, Britain, and Spain. This initiative aims to ensure that local talents deliver high-quality tourism services.

Annual Statistical Report

The minister announced the release of the ministry's annual statistical report for 2023. The report shows that domestic and international tourists totaled 109 million last year, marking a 16% increase from 2022. Foreign tourists exceeded 27 million during this period.

Preliminary figures for the first half of 2024 indicate that there were 60 million domestic and international tourists who spent over SR143 billion. Among them, domestic tourists numbered 44 million with expenditures exceeding SR52 billion, while international tourists totaled 15 million with spending over SR90 billion.

Impact of Electronic Visas

The introduction of electronic visas in 2019 has significantly impacted tourist numbers. Initially available for selected countries, the number of eligible countries has now reached 66 due to high demand. This makes Saudi Arabia one of the fastest countries to obtain a visa.

The minister stated that these developments are part of broader efforts to enhance tourism infrastructure and services across the Kingdom. The goal is not only to attract more visitors but also to provide them with enriching experiences that showcase Saudi Arabia's rich cultural heritage and natural beauty.

The progress made so far reflects the Kingdom's commitment to transforming its tourism sector into a major contributor to its economy while preserving its cultural identity.

With inputs from SPA