RIYADH, Mar 31 (Arab News): Tourist spending in Saudi Arabia reached a record high in 2023, totaling SR135 billion ($39.95 billion), according to the latest official data.
This figure, revealed by the Saudi Central Bank, represents the highest visitor spending in the Kingdom's history, showcasing a growth rate of 42.8 per cent compared to 2022.
This comes within the framework of a series of continuous successes achieved by the tourism sector, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The Kingdom secured the top spot on the UN's World Tourism Organization list for the growth rate of international tourist numbers in 2023 compared to 2019.
This marked an increase of 56 per cent in 2023, compared to 2019, according to the barometer report issued by the UNWTO in January 2024.
The nation also saw a recovery rate of 156 per cent in the number of visitors during 2023 compared to 2019, the report added.
These significant accomplishments in the tourism sector have established Saudi Arabia as a leader in the Middle East region's global tourism recovery. The region notably surpassed pre-COVID-19 pandemic levels with a 122 per cent recovery rate in international tourist arrivals in 2023 compared to 2019.
In February, the UNWTO deemed Saudi Arabia's tourism industry a "beacon of innovation" as the Kingdom surpassed its Vision 2030 target of attracting 100 million visitors seven years ahead of schedule.
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