Tourexpi
The Ministry of Tourism announced that the Kingdom
has achieved this milestone seven years ahead of the initial goal according to
the latest data. Motivated by this success, the Kingdom has now set a new
ambitious target of welcoming 150 million tourists by 2030.
Tourism has proven to be a significant contributor
to the nation's economy, with domestic and international tourists spending
over 250 billion riyals in 2023. This expenditure represents over 4%
of GDP and 7% of the non-oil GDP reflecting the crucial role of tourism in
diversifying Saudi Arabia's economy.
H.E. Minister Ahmed Al Khateeb,
commented: "This announcement demonstrates the scale of our
transformation since the National Tourism Strategy was launched five years ago.
Tourism is a key pillar in the nation's economic transformation under Vision
2030, creating jobs and revenue for the Kingdom. We thank both UN Tourism and
WTTC as valued partners in our journey for their shared commitment to a
sustainable and prosperous tourism sector."
"The tourism ecosystem continues to operate in
line with the national tourism strategy by developing diverse tourist
destinations. Our aim is to enrich the experiences of tourists, diversify
options for both local and international visitors, and enhance hospitality
facilities along with other services provided. We are committed to aligning
with top-tier international experiences and practices. This approach
contributes to shaping a prosperous future for our tourism industry, improving
the quality of life, and bolstering the Kingdom's position on the global
tourism map," said the Minister.
The tourism sector in the Kingdom has marked
significant qualitative leaps, with the total number of tourists, both domestic
and international, reaching 106.2 million in 2023. This represents a remarkable
increase of 56% compared to 2019 and a substantial 12% surge compared to 2022.
Among these, the number of international tourists reached 27.4 million, showing
a substantial 56% increase from 2019 and an impressive 65% rise compared to
2022.
Image
Credit: © Ministry of Tourism of Saudi Arabia
The most interesting news
Hyatt Signs Agreement with Knowledge Economic City for Two New Hotels in Saudi Arabia
Two Hyatt-branded hotels set to debut in Madinah as Hyatt House Madinah KEC and Hyatt Centric Madinah KEC.
Queen Anne Arrival in Southampton Marks New Era for Luxury Ocean Travel
This is the moment Cunard's luxury new ship, Queen Anne, sailed into her home port of Southampton ahead of her maiden voyage to Lisbon on Friday.
Accor & Alesayi Holding Announce Abraj Omar Hotel & Residences Makkah – MGallery Collection
Accor, a world-leading hospitality group, in partnership with Alesayi Holding, a leader in the Saudi Arabian real estate market with a diverse portfolio of residential and commercial units, has announced plans for the opening of a new hotel and resid
Turkish resort city Antalya hosts 2M tourists in Q1
Number of tourists to Antalya in early 2024 marked as best start in Antalya’s tourism history.
First scheduled flight with Lufthansa Allegris on board takes off
A350-900 with 268 passengers on the way from Munich to Vancouver.
Kempinski Hotels to make its Vietnam debut with a luxury hideaway on the banks of Saigon River
Kempinski introduces a riverside resort rooted in Vietnamese culture and heritage, designed by legendary architectural studio Kengo Kuma & Associates.
Amadeus and UN Tourism joint report reveals tourism in the Americas is on the rise
Data shows strong growth, especially in the Caribbean and Central America.
Morocco’s first Radisson-branded hotel opens in Casablanca
Radisson Hotel Casablanca Gauthier La Citadelle opens its doors as the first upscale Radisson-branded hotel in Morocco. Situated in the heart of the vibrant Gauthier district in Casablanca, the thriving port city that fronts the Atlantic Ocean, the o
May bank holidays: discover Europe spontaneously with Eurowings
Attractive last-minute ideas for a long weekend.
art’otel London Hoxton is now open!
London’s highly anticipated lifestyle hotel, designed and filled with artworks by Signature Artist D*Face is now open.
DATEV Challenge Roth and Condor take off together
Stripes meet endurance sport - Condor, the German airline based in Frankfurt, will be the new mobility partner for the world's biggest long-distance triathlon. All triathletes as well as the volunteers in Roth can benefit directly from the new partne
Eurowings significantly expands its offer at Hanover Airport
17 holiday and city destinations in the programme for summer 2024.
Emirates offers children an exclusive player escort experience at the Olympique Lyonnais match
Emirates, the Official Main Sponsor of Olympique Lyonnais, sparked excitement on the field last weekend as it hosted children from local organisations, Hôpital Mère Enfant and Centre Léon Bérard on 14 April, 2024.
Warm temperatures prompt early surge in diving tourism in Turkish town of Kusadasi
Demand for diving high thanks to sunny weather and calm sea, diving instructor tells Anadolu.
Hamad International Airport Sets New Record in Q1 2024, Surpassing Previous Q1 Figures
Doha's airport was just named the World's Best Airport 2024 by the prestigious Skytrax World Airport Awards.
Accor introduces HERA – a new loyalty and rewards program for travel advisors
The new and enriched program provides access to 270+ Accor and Ennismore hotels and resorts across 11 remarkable luxury and luxury lifestyle brands including Orient Express, Raffles, Fairmont, Sofitel, SLS, Delano and more.
Istanbul Digital Arts Festival discusses economic perspectives, future visions of digital art
Turkish Culture and Tourism Ministry focusing on new-generation service exports, with creative industry services at the forefront, says head of Cultural Services and Creative Industries Department.
Yada Xishan Hotel Yixing Opens as New Addition of The Unbound Collection by Hyatt Brand
Blending natural beauty with contemporary Chinese aesthetics, the spiritual hideaway invites guests to enjoy elevated experiences.
Romance meets iconic lifestyle with the arrival of Radisson Collection in Paris
Radisson Hotel Group, in partnership with Redevco, a real estate investment and asset management company, is proud to announce the arrival of its Radisson Collection brand in the heart of Paris.
Queen Anne Departs for Historic Maiden Voyage
This is the moment Cunard's luxury new ship Queen Anne set sail on her historic seven-night maiden voyage to Lisbon amid a spectacular fireworks display.
TUI Care Foundation supports the protection of the marine environment in the Balearics
TUI Sea the Change Balearics project restores shallow water bays, improves the sustainability of local fisheries and strengthens local marine organisations.