Saudi Gazette report

Riyadh — The travel and tourism sector in the Kingdom has grown at a much faster rate than the wider economy, according to a Tourism Information and Research Center (MAS) report of the Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage (SCTH).

The statistical report showed a remarkable development in the tourism sector in recent years, following the success of the efforts of the Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage in establishing the structure and organization of the sector and approving its regulations.

The report pointed to the significant increase in the contribution of domestic tourism to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) as one of the highest from non-oil economic sectors.

Tourism revenues increased from SR57.3 billion in 2004 to reach more than SR193 billion in 2017, with expectations of exceeding SR211 billion by the end of the current year 2018.