Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH — The Ministry of Tourism celebrated a significant milestone, reaching 100 million tourists by the end of 2023, achieving this target seven years ahead of the timeline set by Saudi Vision 2030.

Minister of Tourism Ahmed Al-Khateeb highlighted the achievement, saying: "We facilitated the arrival of tourists from all over the world to Saudi Arabia, reaching over 100 million tourists whose spending exceeded SR250 billion."

Al-Khateeb further expressed the Ministry's heightened ambitions, aiming to welcome 150 million tourists by 2030.

He emphasized the role of tourism as a pivotal sector in the economy, a creator of employment opportunities, and a magnet for sustainable investments and tourists.

The surge in tourism saw more than 106 million domestic and international visitors, marking a 56% increase from 2019 and a 12% rise from 2022.

This growth has significantly bolstered non-oil revenues and job creation.

The achievement has garnered international recognition, with accolades from UN Tourism and the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), acknowledging Saudi Arabia's rapid development in the tourism sector.

The celebration, attended by ministers, ambassadors, prominent local and international investors, and tourism experts, underscores Saudi Arabia's emergence as a global tourism destination, in line with the broader objectives of Saudi Vision 2030.