RIYADH: Saudi Arabia has emerged as the top-ranked country in the United Nations Tourism rankings for its exceptional growth in international tourist arrivals in 2023 compared to 2019, surpassing other major tourism destinations.
According to the World Tourism Barometer report released by the United Nations Tourism in January, Saudi Arabia witnessed a remarkable 56 percent increase in incoming tourists in 2023 compared to 2019. Additionally, the Kingdom achieved an impressive tourism recovery rate of 156 percent during the same period.
These outstanding achievements have positioned Saudi Arabia as a leader in the global tourism recovery, particularly in the Middle East region, which saw a 122 percent recovery rate in international tourist arrivals in 2023 compared to 2019.
The UN report highlights that several tourist destinations within Saudi Arabia experienced significant growth in inbound and domestic visitors throughout 2023.
Moreover, the Kingdom reached a milestone in inbound tourist spending, exceeding SR100 billion for the first three quarters of 2023, as reported by the Saudi Central Bank (SAMA).
These accomplishments underscore Saudi Arabia’s status as a premier global tourist destination, with travelers expressing confidence in the diverse and appealing tourism options the Kingdom has to offer.