Saudi Arabia sees 656% surge in leisure tourism in 2024

Riyadh, The Ministry of Tourism of Saudi Arabia reported substantial growth in the tourism sector, particularly in the leisure and holiday segments, attributing this progress to the Kingdom's Vision 2030 directives. In a statement marking World Tourism Day, observed annually on September 27, the ministry announced that Saudi Arabia welcomed 17.5 million international tourists between January and July 2024. This represents a 10% increase compared to the same period in 2023 and a 73% rise from 2019 figures, according to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA). The most notable development is a 656% increase in tourists arriving for entertainment and holiday purposes. The ministry highlighted that 4.2 million tourists visited for these reasons in the first seven months of 2024, reflecting a 25% rise from the previous year and a significant leap from pre-pandemic levels in 2019. These results underscore the success of the Kingdom's long-term tourism strategy, guided by Vision 2030, which aims to position Saudi Arabia as a global tourism destination. The Kingdom had set a target of 100 million tourists by 2030 but achieved this milestone in 2023, seven years ahead of schedule. Saudi Arabia was also recognised as the fastest-growing G20 country in the latest UN World Tourism Barometer report, leading in both international tourist numbers and tourism revenues. These figures highlight the Kingdom's strategic efforts to develop a sustainable tourism sector, improve infrastructure, and promote Saudi Arabia as a premier global destination. The ministry's accomplishments reflect the effectiveness of these initiatives, positioning the Kingdom as a key player in global tourism. Source: Bahrain News Agency