Record-breaking year for Saudi tourism

Saudi Arabia had a record-breaking year for tourism, according to the World Travel & Tourism Council.
The WTTC’s 2024 Economic Impact Research data recorded new records for its GDP contribution, sector jobs and visitor spend.
In 2023, the sector grew by more than 32% to contribute a record-breaking SAR444.3 billion to Saudi’s GDP, which represents 11.5% of the economy.
This exceeded the previous record by almost 30%.
Tourism jobs grew by 436,000 to reach more than 2.5 million, representing almost one in five jobs in the country.
Tourism jobs lost during the pandemic were fully recovered in 2022.
The EIR report found international visitor spending surged by almost 57% to reach SAR227.4 billion, breaking the previous record, while domestic visitor spending grew by 21.5%.
It says Saudi Arabia welcomed 100 million tourists in 2023.
Reaching that milestone seven years ahead of schedule, it is now targeting 150 million tourists by 2030.
Julia Simpson, WTTC President & CEO said; “Saudi Arabia’s Travel & Tourism sector’s extraordinary achievements last year mark a pivotal moment in its journey towards becoming a global tourism leader.”
WTTC is forecasting that the Middle Eastern tourism sector will continue to grow throughout 2024.
Tourism jobs are forecast to reach 8.3 million across the region.
Related News Stories: Turkish Airlines flying high with record year for passengers Kentucky tourism achieves record economic impact Japan is more than the hottest honeymoon destination of 2024 … Record spending projected for summer vacations Traveltek announces appointment of new Head of Digital Marketing … Traveltek – TravelMole VisitBritain appoints US market SVP Melbourne international passenger numbers hit record high Etihad reports record Q! net earnings Melbourne Airport sets March record for international passengers
Related News Stories: Saudi Arabia's Travel & Tourism Breaks All Records Saudi Arabia's Travel & Tourism Sector Breaks Records in 2023 ... US Remains the World's Most Powerful Travel & Tourism Market Saudi Tourism Captivates WTM 2024 with New Destinations and ... Minister of Tourism forecasts another record-breaking year ... Fourth of July travel is set to break records : NPR Saudi Tourism Authority Secures New Landmark Partnerships at ... Morocco on course for record-breaking tourism year | AGBI Angkor Archaeological Park Sees New Record-Breaking Year-End ... Saudi Arabia's Travel and Tourism Sector Continues to Break Records

TravelMole Editorial Team
Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
Dozens of bodies recovered from DC river after midair collision
JetBlue scraps London Gatwick flights
Quake warning in Santorini after hundreds of tremors
Another BA emergency slide mishap
EasyJet forced into flight emergency landing after pilot collapses