Tourist spending in Saudi Arabia reached approximately SAR150 billion (US$40 billion) in the first half of 2024, reflecting a 10 percent rise compared to the same period in the previous year, according to Ahmed Al-Khateeb, the Kingdom’s Minister of Tourism.
The Saudi tourism sector also saw an increase in tourist numbers during H1 2024. This growth aligns with Saudi Arabia’s broader goal of transforming into a leading global tourism destination, aiming to host 150 million tourists annually by 2030.
To support this ambition, Al-Khateeb announced at a conference reviewing the 2024 summer tourism program that a tourist visa will be introduced next month to attract more international visitors.
The General Authority of Civil Aviation reported a significant surge in passenger air traffic, which increased by 17 percent, reaching 62 million passengers compared to 53 million in the first half of 2023. This growth was bolstered by a 12 percent increase in flights, totalling 446,000 compared to 399,000 in the same period last year.
During the conference, Al-Khateeb stated: “We achieved 60 million visits and approximately SR150 billion in tourist spending.”
He further emphasised the diverse natural beauty and varied landscapes of Saudi Arabia, including mountains, resorts, Red Sea beaches, and vibrant cities, which uniquely position the country to offer a wide array of tourism products to global travellers.
Al-Khateeb highlighted the ministry’s initiatives to enhance opportunities and training for Saudis, underscoring its commitment to encouraging private-sector investment in Saudi human capital. He noted: “We’ve raised salaries and conducted over 100,000 training courses annually.”
The Minister also acknowledged the private sector’s crucial role in the tourism and travel sector, stating: “The tourism and travel sector worldwide is primarily managed by the private sector, and we recognise its crucial role in our sector’s development.”
Additionally, Al-Khateeb discussed the significant impact of the Tourism Development Fund on the country’s infrastructure. Launched in June 2020, the fund has financed over 100 projects totalling SAR35 billion. These projects range from small to medium-sized ventures to larger-scale initiatives.
“In Aseer (region) alone, the Tourism Development Fund has allocated SR1 billion to 10 projects, reflecting a significant focus on enhancing hospitality offerings in the region,” shared Al-Khateeb.
To enhance transparency and support stakeholders, the minister announced the launch of comprehensive tourism statistics on the ministry’s website.
“An annual report will provide valuable insights for the media and investors, detailing every statistic and figure relevant to Saudi Arabia’s tourism sector,” he added.
The latest data released by the ministry indicates that the total number of tourists reached 109.3 million in 2023, with 81.9 million being local tourists and 27.4 million international visitors. Expenditure by international tourists totalled SAR141.2 billion last year, while local tourists spent SAR114.4 billion, bringing the total tourism expenditure to SAR255.6 billion in 2023.
“We achieved 153 percent growth in tourism compared to 2019. Aseer received 8 million tourists last year, who spent around US$3 billion,” Al-Khateeb concluded. These developments reflect Saudi Arabia’s ongoing commitment to transforming its tourism sector, supported by strategic investments, infrastructure development, and a focus on enhancing the visitor experience.
