The Saudi Ministry of Tourism revealed that the number of tourists at home and abroad exceeded 100 million by the end of 2023, and that tourists spent more than 250 billion riyals (about 25 billion dinars), representing more than 4% of the gross domestic product, and more than 7% of the domestic product. Non-oil.
The Ministry explained, according to the Saudi News Agency “SPA”, that the tourism sector in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia recorded great qualitative leaps, as the total number of tourists from home and abroad reached 106.2 million tourists, achieving an increase of 56% compared to the year 2019, and an increase of 12% compared to the year 2022 AD. .
She indicated that the number of tourists arriving from abroad reached 27.4 million, an increase of 56% over the year 2019, and an increase of 65% compared to the year 2022.
She said that this achievement comes 7 years before the target date, emphasizing the positive paths achieved by the tourism sector in increasing non-oil resources and creating more job opportunities for citizens.
For their part, the World Tourism Organization and the World Travel and Tourism Council offered remarkable praise as a result of Saudi Arabia reaching more than 100 million tourists during the year 2023, as the two organizations expressed their remarkable appreciation for the tourism sector, especially after the number of domestic and foreign tourists exceeded 100 million tourists at the end of last year. While they spent more than 250 billion riyals, which represents more than 4% of the gross domestic product, and represents more than 7% of the non-oil domestic product.
While the Minister of Tourism in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Ahmed Al-Khatib, confirmed that these results, which were achieved last year, were thanks to the directives of the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, to raise the target to 150 million tourists annually from home and abroad by 2030, and this matter will contribute to 10% of the gross domestic product, in addition to providing one million new jobs in the sector during the year 2030.
He added that the tourism system continues to work in accordance with the national tourism strategy to develop various tourist destinations, enrich their experiences, diversify the options for local and international tourists, and improve hospitality facilities and the rest of the services provided in accordance with the best international experiences and practices, which contributes to shaping a prosperous future for the tourism industry, and strengthening Saudi Arabia’s position on the global tourism map. .
Commenting on the achievement, the founder and president of Travel Companions and tourism expert in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Khaled Al-Ammar, told Al-Bilad newspaper that this achievement is a follow-up to the distinguished achievements achieved by the Kingdom in the tourism sector and its leadership of the global tourism scene.
He added that these achievements would not have been achieved without the support that the tourism sector enjoys from the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz, and the follow-up and attention of His Highness the Crown Prince and Prime Minister Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz.
Godfather of vision
He noted that Saudi achievements in the tourism sector strengthen the position of the Gulf scene as a whole to lead the tourism scene globally, and stressed that facilitating procedures for visitors to the GCC countries and Saudi Arabia contributed to the growth in the number of incoming tourists.
He stressed that any increase or qualitative shift in tourism in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is considered a qualitative shift in the Kingdom of Bahrain and the Gulf Cooperation Council countries. He said that the Gulf Cooperation Council countries will become a destination for foreign companies and capital to invest in the tourism sector as a single group, as a result of the increase in the number of tourists arriving to Saudi Arabia and the Gulf. Arabi.
He stressed that Saudi Arabia and Bahrain are one tourist destination on the world map in terms of tourism, and Saudi Arabia is distinguished by its geographical and terrain diversity, which makes it an attractive destination for foreign visitors to explore each region and tourist site separately, and he stated that increasing tourist attraction tempts the private sector to enter into tourism projects and facilities in the two countries due to the presence of Profitable financial return for companies and institutions.
Khaled Al-Ammar stressed that tourism in Saudi Arabia constitutes a support factor for tourism in Bahrain. Any tourist attracted to Saudi Arabia will be reflected in one way or another on tourism in Bahrain, as Bahrain is at the eastern gate of the Kingdom. He stressed that Bahrain is a tourist attraction for any tourist in Saudi Arabia because he will visit Bahrain as well. Saudi Arabia is one destination for tourism, and there are common economic benefits to enhance bilateral tourism between the two countries.
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