Saudi Arabia Welcomes 60 Million Tourists in First Half of 2024

Over 60 million tourists visited Saudi Arabia in the first half of 2024. This influx of visitors translates to tourism expenditure reaching SAR 150 billion, highlighting the sector's growing importance to the Saudi economy. While currently representing 3% of the Kingdom's GDP, this figure still pales in comparison to the global tourism sector's contribution of 10% to the world's economy.

This positive trend builds upon the success of 2023, with Saudi Arabia receiving approximately 109 million tourists, including 27 million international visitors, ranking it 11th globally in terms of tourist arrivals. The Kingdom's tourism industry has witnessed a 153% growth rate compared to 2019, positioning it as one of the fastest-growing among G20 nations. This rapid rise has translated into a significant contribution to the local economy, with tourism currently generating 5% and aiming to reach 10% (SAR 600 billion to SAR 700 billion) in the near future.