In 2023, Saudi Arabia anticipates drawing approximately 100 million tourists, both from within the country and around the world. The tourism industry is projected to make up nearly 6 percent of the Kingdom’s gross domestic product (GDP) for the year. The 2030 target for Saudi Arabia’s total annual tourist trips, encompassing both domestic and international travelers, has been revised upward to 150 million from the initial goal of 100 million.
Read more: From desert sands to digital dreams: Saudi Arabia’s tourism revolution
During the Future Investment Initiative (FII) in Riyadh this week, Saudi’s tourism minister, Ahmed Al Khateeb, disclosed that out of the projected 150 million total tourist trips, Saudi is aiming for an equal distribution of approximately 75 million domestic tourists and 75 million international travelers.
The minister said the country is expected to conclude the year with approximately 30 million international tourists. This figure represents almost half of the nation’s target of 70 million overseas visitors by the year 2030.
The latest data from the World Tourism Organization reveals that international tourism is steadily rebounding from the effects of the pandemic. Between January and July 2023, arrival numbers reached 84 percent of the pre-COVID levels, indicating a significant recovery in the sector.
According to the report published in September, the Middle East, Europe, and Africa are spearheading the resurgence of the global tourism sector. These regions are showing notable progress in terms of recovery and are playing a significant role in the rebound of the industry.
During the first seven months of the year, the Middle East showcased the most encouraging outcomes, as tourist arrivals surpassed pre-pandemic levels by 20 percent.
As per the Tourism Minister, Saudi Arabia anticipates welcoming approximately 30 million international tourists and around 75 million domestic visitors this year.
With the aim of becoming a prominent global travel destination and one of the most frequented countries worldwide, Saudi Arabia is actively pursuing an accelerated path.
The country has allocated $800 billion for tourism investments over the next ten years, introduced the newly established airline Riyadh Air to facilitate inbound travel, and disclosed plans for a colossal airport in Riyadh.
The envisioned airport is projected to accommodate 120 million passengers by 2030, further reinforcing Saudi Arabia’s commitment to the growth and development of its tourism sector.
Saudi Arabia has established an ambitious objective for the tourism sector to make a 10 percent contribution to the country’s GDP by 2030. This target represents a substantial increase from the 3 percent contribution observed in 2019.
During 2022, Saudi welcomed over 93.5 million tourists, with approximately 77 million being domestic visitors and 16.5 million international visitors.
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