Saudi Arabia Sets New Tourism Goals Following Rapid Growth
The Kingdom has welcomed over 115.9 million tourists in 2024, surpassing its Vision 2030 target six years ahead of schedule.
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia launched its National Tourism Strategy aiming to attract 100 million tourists annually by the end of this decade, but the Kingdom has already surpassed this goal.
In 2024, over 115.9 million tourists visited the country, beating the Vision 2030 target six years ahead of schedule.
The growth highlights the government's push towards economic diversification and reducing dependence on crude revenues.
The Kingdom has now raised its target to 150 million annual visitors by 2030.
At the heart of this journey is investing in the tourism sector, which could accelerate Saudi Arabia's transformation into a global hub for tourists.
During the 26th session of the UN Tourism General Assembly held in Riyadh from Nov. 7 to 11, the Kingdom unveiled "Tourism Doing Business - Investing in Saudi Arabia," a document showcasing opportunities in the sector.
The Minister of Tourism Ahmed Al-Khateeb emphasized that Saudi Arabia is unlocking one of the world's most dynamic tourism markets and offered unmatched opportunities, world-class infrastructure, and streamlined investor pathways.
Zurab Pololikashvili, the outgoing Secretary-General of UN Tourism, expressed similar views, stating that Saudi Arabia has placed tourism at the center of its broad national transformation.
According to him, the Kingdom's rapid growth in the sector is redefining the country's economy and reshaping the global tourism landscape.
Saudi Arabia offers a diverse geography, rich cultural offerings, and a youthful population making it an ideal destination for investors.
The Kingdom has eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites, two biosphere reserves, and 16 elements of intangible cultural heritage.
Investments in giga-projects such as Neom, The Red Sea, AMAALA, Diriyah, and AlUla are redefining Saudi Arabia's tourism model, making it one of the most promising investment destinations globally.
In 2021, UNWTO opened its regional office in Riyadh, serving as a platform for cooperation across the Middle East and beyond.
The Kingdom's financial environment is supported by public investments, including the Public Investment Fund and a dedicated Tourism Development Fund, offering various instruments to investors.
The average length of stay for international visitors to Saudi Arabia has increased, reflecting a broader shift in visit composition and purpose.
In 2024, this average reached 19 nights, up from 11 nights in 2019.
The Kingdom also offers a supportive environment for tourism investment due to strong sovereign institutions, abundant liquidity, and a national strategy to diversify the economy.
In 2024, over 115.9 million tourists visited the country, beating the Vision 2030 target six years ahead of schedule.
The growth highlights the government's push towards economic diversification and reducing dependence on crude revenues.
The Kingdom has now raised its target to 150 million annual visitors by 2030.
At the heart of this journey is investing in the tourism sector, which could accelerate Saudi Arabia's transformation into a global hub for tourists.
During the 26th session of the UN Tourism General Assembly held in Riyadh from Nov. 7 to 11, the Kingdom unveiled "Tourism Doing Business - Investing in Saudi Arabia," a document showcasing opportunities in the sector.
The Minister of Tourism Ahmed Al-Khateeb emphasized that Saudi Arabia is unlocking one of the world's most dynamic tourism markets and offered unmatched opportunities, world-class infrastructure, and streamlined investor pathways.
Zurab Pololikashvili, the outgoing Secretary-General of UN Tourism, expressed similar views, stating that Saudi Arabia has placed tourism at the center of its broad national transformation.
According to him, the Kingdom's rapid growth in the sector is redefining the country's economy and reshaping the global tourism landscape.
Saudi Arabia offers a diverse geography, rich cultural offerings, and a youthful population making it an ideal destination for investors.
The Kingdom has eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites, two biosphere reserves, and 16 elements of intangible cultural heritage.
Investments in giga-projects such as Neom, The Red Sea, AMAALA, Diriyah, and AlUla are redefining Saudi Arabia's tourism model, making it one of the most promising investment destinations globally.
In 2021, UNWTO opened its regional office in Riyadh, serving as a platform for cooperation across the Middle East and beyond.
The Kingdom's financial environment is supported by public investments, including the Public Investment Fund and a dedicated Tourism Development Fund, offering various instruments to investors.
The average length of stay for international visitors to Saudi Arabia has increased, reflecting a broader shift in visit composition and purpose.
In 2024, this average reached 19 nights, up from 11 nights in 2019.
The Kingdom also offers a supportive environment for tourism investment due to strong sovereign institutions, abundant liquidity, and a national strategy to diversify the economy.
