Saudi Arabia is buzzing with excitement thanks to its visitors who are spending like there’s no tomorrow, smashing records for shopping expenses.
According to Arab News on Monday (1/4), Saudi Arabia pulled in a whopping total of 135 billion Riyals in tourist spending in 2023. The Saudi Central Bank spilled the beans on this jaw-dropping figure.
This marks the highest spending spree by tourists in the kingdom’s history, with a whopping 42.8% increase compared to 2022.
This big win is part of the ongoing success story of the tourism sector, according to the Saudi Press Agency.
And guess what? The United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) put Saudi Arabia right at the top of its list for the biggest growth in international tourists in 2023 compared to 2019.
The numbers shot up by a whopping 56% in 2023 compared to 2019, according to the UNWTO’s report released in January 2024.
But wait, there’s more! Saudi Arabia also saw a whopping 156% increase in visitor numbers in 2023 compared to 2019.
This achievement cements Saudi Arabia as the undisputed champion of the tourism comeback in the Middle East.
And you know what’s helping fuel this tourism frenzy? It’s not just the sights and sounds; it’s also the regulatory tweaks like the shiny new investor visit visas issued by the Saudi Ministry of Investment and Foreign Affairs. This move catapulted Saudi Arabia to second place globally in terms of tourist visits during the first 7 months of 2023.
This incredible feat is a major boost in instilling global tourist confidence in Saudi Arabia’s diverse and captivating tourism offerings. Let the good times roll!