Saudi Arabia, which only opened to international travel within the last few years, welcomed more than 100 million tourists in 2023, a milestone it had originally hoped to reach by 2030. The figure represents an increase of 56% compared to 2019, and a 12% rise from 2022. Notably, international visitors totaled 27.4 million, an impressive increase of 65% over 2022.
Encouraged by this success, the Kingdom has set a new target of welcoming 150 million tourists by 2023.
Our Analysis: Interest in Travel to Saudi Arabia Is High
Reaching the milestone of 100 million tourists seven years ahead of schedule marks a significant achievement for Saudi Arabia in attracting travelers. Clearly, there is great interest among global tourists in visiting the country. The Kingdom’s success also demonstrates how far its burgeoning tourism product has come since the launch of its National Tourism Strategy just five years ago. With continued effort and ongoing infrastructure enhancements, the country should continue to attract attention — and travel advisors will likely want to keep it on their radars for the coming years.
Fast Facts: Tourism Is Proving Successful in Saudi Arabia
- Saudi Arabia’s visitor total for 2023 was 106.2 million.
- Tourism is starting to be a significant contributor to the country’s economy. Traveler spending in 2023 represented more than 4% of its GDP and 7% of the non-oil GDP.
- The number of international tourists last year grew 56% over 2019, and 65% compared to 2022.
What They Are Saying: Tourism Is Creating Jobs and Revenue
"This announcement demonstrates the scale of our transformation since the National Tourism Strategy was launched five years ago,” said Ahmed Al Khateeb, minister of tourism for Saudi Arabia. “Tourism is a key pillar in the nation's economic transformation under Vision 2030, creating jobs and revenue for the Kingdom. We thank both UN Tourism and WTTC [the World Travel and Tourism Council] as valued partners in our journey for their shared commitment to a sustainable and prosperous tourism sector.”
"The tourism ecosystem continues to operate in line with the National Tourism Strategy by developing diverse tourist destinations,” he added. “Our aim is to enrich the experiences of tourists, diversify options for both local and international visitors and enhance hospitality facilities along with other services provided. We are committed to aligning with top-tier international experiences and practices. This approach contributes to shaping a prosperous future for our tourism industry, improving the quality of life, and bolstering the Kingdom's position on the global tourism map.”
