In a significant milestone for Saudi Arabia's ambitious tourism goals, the kingdom welcomed a record-breaking 30 million foreign tourists in 2024, as announced by Tourism Minister Ahmed Al-Khateeb at the World Economic Forum in Davos. This marked an increase from the approximately 27.5 million visitors in 2023, showcasing sustained growth in the sector.
While the surge in international arrivals demonstrates Saudi Arabia's progress in positioning itself as a premier tourist destination, the pace of growth in 2024 notably decelerated compared to the previous year, which saw a remarkable 60% increase in foreign visitors. With aspirations to attract 70 million international tourists annually by 2030, the kingdom is targeting the burgeoning middle-class populations of India and China to drive future growth.
Emphasizing the pivotal role of tourism in Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's Vision 2030 agenda to diversify the economy, Saudi Arabia is investing nearly $1 trillion in the industry over the coming decade. This substantial investment has been channeled into developing luxurious hotels, entertainment facilities, and infrastructure projects to enhance the country's appeal on the global stage.
Notable recent initiatives include the launch of a metro system in Riyadh to alleviate traffic congestion and the ongoing construction of a cutting-edge international airport set to become the world's largest by 2030. Moreover, Saudi Arabia's hosting of major events such as the Asian Winter Games, World Expo, and World Cup underscores its commitment to becoming a prominent hub for international tourists.
Overall, the total tourism figures, encompassing both foreign visitors and domestic travelers within the kingdom, reached approximately 115 million in 2024, up from 109 million in the previous year. Al-Khateeb revealed that the tourism sector contributed 5% to Saudi Arabia's GDP at the close of 2024, with a target to increase this to 10% by the early 2030s, underscoring the pivotal role of tourism in the kingdom's economic transformation journey.