Saudi Arabia topped the United Nations list for tourism in the growth of international tourists in 2023 compared to 2019 for major tourist destinations. The Kingdom achieved a 56% increase in the number of incoming tourists in 2023 compared to 2019, according to the UN Tourism Barometer report released in January 2024.
The report also indicates that Saudi Arabia achieved a remarkable recovery of 156% in the number of incoming tourists during 2023 compared to 2019.
The prominent achievements in the tourism sector contributed to Saudi Arabia leading the global recovery in tourism in the Middle East. It is the only region that surpassed pre-COVID-19 levels, with the recovery rate of international tourist numbers reaching 122% in the Middle East during 2023 compared to 2019.
Various tourist destinations in the Kingdom witnessed a significant increase in the numbers of both incoming and domestic visitors in 2023.
Moreover, Saudi Arabia set a new record in the spending of incoming visitors, with data from the Saudi Arabian Monetary Authority revealing that the total spending of visitors exceeded 100 billion riyals for the first three quarters of 2023.
These achievements reinforce Saudi Arabia’s position as a leading global tourist destination, reflecting the substantial growth in the number of incoming tourists and the confidence of travelers in the Kingdom’s attractive and diverse tourism options.