UN Tourism hails Saudi Arabia's historic milestone of 100 million tourists
In a testament to its strategic vision and robust sector growth, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has welcomed over 100 million tourists, marking a significant milestone in its journey to become a global tourism powerhouse.
In an exceptional achievement, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has welcomed over 100 million tourists, a milestone celebrated by the World Tourism Organization (UN Tourism). This remarkable accomplishment achieved seven years ahead of its original schedule, not only underscores Saudi Arabia's emergence as a global tourism powerhouse but also highlights its leading role in the economic diversification and sustainable development of the tourism sector worldwide. This milestone, marked by the arrival of over 27 million international tourists and over 79 million domestic tourists with a combined total spend of over USD 67 billion, not only showcases the Kingdom's robust tourism sector but also underscores the Saudi Ministry of Tourism's commitment to advanced data gathering and statistical analysis, a priority echoed by UN Tourism.
The Kingdom's success story is built on a foundation of strategic initiatives and reforms that have propelled its tourism sector to new heights. With a staggering 390% increase in demand for tourism activity licenses in 2023 and the contribution of tourism to the non-oil GVA estimated to exceed 7%, Saudi Arabia's vision for the future is clear. With the tourism sector's direct contribution to the GDP estimated to exceed 4 %, the country has showcased its resilience, innovation, and commitment to excellence.
Strategic Partnerships and Global Leadership
UN Tourism has closely collaborated with Saudi Arabia, recognizing its efforts in developing a robust tourism infrastructure and statistical analysis capabilities. The inauguration of UN Tourism's Regional Office for the Middle East in Riyadh in 2021 marked a significant step towards fostering tourism innovation, education, and rural development. This partnership has been instrumental in positioning Saudi Arabia as a leader in sustainable tourism practices and statistical excellence.
Elevating its global position in the tourism sector, Saudi Arabia has distinguished itself by leading the G20 in international tourist growth rate in 2023 compared to 2019. This recognition underlines the Kingdom's pivotal role in the global tourism sector's recovery following the pandemic. Moreover, the Middle East has emerged as the sole region not only to rebound but also to outpace pre-pandemic tourism levels, with a 122 percent recovery in international tourist arrivals in 2023 compared to 2019. At the forefront of this remarkable growth, Saudi Arabia witnessed a staggering 156 percent recovery in international tourist arrivals compared to 2019, underscoring its central role in the region's tourism boom.
A Testament to Resilience and Innovation
The Kingdom's tourism sector has shown remarkable resilience, with inbound spending reaching over USD 37 billion in 2023 and a significant increase in hotel keys across the kingdom. These achievements are a testament to Saudi Arabia's commitment to creating a prosperous and sustainable tourism sector.
Empowering the Workforce
The employment opportunities created by the tourism sector are a cornerstone of Saudi Arabia's success. As of 2023, with 925.5 thousand jobs in the tourism sector and significant investments in training, the Kingdom is on track to make tourism the second-largest employer by 2030. This focus on workforce development ensures that the benefits of tourism growth are shared widely and sustainably.
Gratitude and Future Vision
UN Tourism extends its congratulations to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for this historic achievement. We commend the leadership, the Ministry of Tourism, and all partners for their unwavering support and dedication. As Saudi Arabia continues to drive towards its goal of 150 million tourists by 2030, UN Tourism looks forward to supporting its journey, celebrating its successes, and promoting a more resilient, sustainable, and inclusive future for global tourism.
Saudi Arabia's achievement of welcoming over 100 million tourists in 2023 is a beacon of what is possible through collaboration, innovation, and a clear vision for the future. The Kingdom not only promises a diverse and rich tourism experience but delivers on that promise, paving the way for a brighter future for the global tourism industry.
RELATED TOPICS: Greece, Greek tourism news, Tourism in Greece, Greek islands, Hotels in Greece, Travel to Greece, Greek destinations, Greek travel market, Greek tourism statistics, Greek tourism report
Photo Source: Wikimedia Commons License: CC-BY-SA Copyright: Ras67
- 1) WTTC: U.S. remains the world’s most powerful travel and tourism market
- 2) Greek Deputy Foreign Minister highlights efforts to counter brain drain
- 3) UN Tourism members promote agenda for Europe as region leads global recovery
- 4) Greek Interior Minister to visit United States and Canada on postal vote
30/10 00:31
Passenger ferry 'Aghia Theodora' safely in Igoumenitsa Port after running aground
30/10 00:31
Government spokesperson: Greece's 'brain gain' wager appears to have been won
30/10 00:28
Greek supermarket prices for 362 product codes to fall from 5% to 24%
29/10 23:41
29/10 17:18
Greek and German Presidents visit site of future Holocaust Museum in Thessaloniki
25/10 15:07
More than 4.000 participations from 28 countries in 63 activities at Navarino Challenge 2024
23/10 22:29
Greece's PPC successfully issues new 7-year bond raising 600 million euros
23/10 22:14
23/10 20:17
23/10 19:26
European Commission greenlights €40 million for flood prevention works in Athens
23/10 11:22
Grecce's SNF supports relief efforts after Hurricanes in the Southeastern U.S.
22/10 21:48
IMF expects Greek economy to grow by 2.3% in 2024 and 2% during 2025
22/10 21:46
Minister: Ticket prices for new Thessaloniki metro to be announced shortly
22/10 21:37
Greek Shipping Minister: A new 'maritime' Egnatia will open up new prospects
22/10 21:31
Transport Minister visits FlyOver project site in Greek city of Thessaloniki
22/10 21:25
Increased tourist traffic in Greece during the period January-August 2024
21/10 21:23
Prime Minister: Greece's economy on irreversible path to recovery
21/10 19:19
Greek FinMin: Plan to utilize Hellenic Public Properties at implementation phase
21/10 18:00
21/10 09:16
European Union Commissioner inaugurates creation of 'Trusted Investors Network'
18/10 23:09
Exhibition of ancient cultures from Basilicata opens at Athens Acropolis Museum
17/10 19:13
Enterprise Greece: 121 firms showcase environmentally friendly fashion at global shows
17/10 18:18
Ticket price of 2 euros for cinema festival throughout Greece on October 31
17/10 14:34
Prime Minister: Greece has been very effective in dealing with illegal migration
17/10 13:22
Traditional Greek Costumes show:“From Avgi to the present: the clothes narrate”
17/10 12:21
16/10 22:23
Greek Development Minister meets Indiana Governor and US Ambassador
16/10 22:15
Greek PM sees overtourism problem only in Mykonos and Santorini
16/10 22:10
16/10 21:59
Greek Cartoon Museum at 'Kapnergostasio' historic building set up in Athens
16/10 19:12
Aegean Airlines expands direct flights between Thessaloniki and Kalamata in Greece
15/10 21:19
Greek PM: Our goal is to increase revenues and not just tourist numbers
15/10 19:46
Greek Energy Minister holds talks in Egypt on electricity connection
15/10 19:26
15/10 18:34
New Attica Transportation Strategic Plan will reshape the Region
15/10 16:44
UK Ambassador to Athens: Greece's role is of strategic significance
15/10 15:49
Greece's finance ministry reveals four main changes introduced by new tax bill
14/10 23:04
Minister: Luxury tourism can upgrade quality of Greek tourist product
14/10 13:01
Greek Infrastructure and Transport Minister: 35 new buses in Attica
14/10 12:54
WTTC | Business travel to surpass pre-pandemic levels at US$1.5 trillion in 2024
14/10 11:48
11/10 22:39
Acropolis Museum to mark European Days of Conservation-Restoration of Cultural Heritage
09/10 23:26
Minister: More than 2,000 Greeks abroad registered on Rebrain Greece Platform
09/10 23:23
Italgas to invest 1 bln euros in Greece by 2030 based on new strategic plan
09/10 23:22
FinMin: The upgrade of the Athens Stock Exchange is excellent news for Greece
09/10 20:14
Fraport Greece announces schedule of shutdowns to upgrade regional airport runways
09/10 17:30
Greek government spokesperson highlights positive economic outlook for 2025
09/10 01:43
October electricity bill subsidies to support vulnerable consumers in Greece
09/10 01:41
Enterprise Greece: Four Greek wineries at ProWine Latin America 2024
09/10 01:31
Three-week deadline for Greek taxi drivers to install payment card signage
08/10 18:22
AEGEAN air passenger traffic surpasses 12.5 million in first nine months of 2024
08/10 16:31
Report: Networking and career opportunities for foreign students in Cyprus and Greece
07/10 21:54
Media: U.S. Ambassador to Athens is a Champion of Study Abroad Endeavors
07/10 21:44
Universities of Tennessee and Athens to promote academic collaboration
07/10 20:36
07/10 15:49
Government: Bad loans in Greece fell to 7.5% in March 2024 from 40% in 2019
06/10 00:40
03/10 22:15
Commercial activity at Keramoti port in Greece suspended to alleviate congestion
03/10 22:08
Finance Minister: Record privatizations benefiting Greek citizens in long run
03/10 22:05
Stavros Niarchos Foundation recognized at 2024 International Opera Awards
03/10 22:04
Commercial operation of the Alexandroupolis LNG Terminal beginning today
03/10 16:48
Virtuoso and Globetrender report: The top-7 luxury travel trends to watch in 2025
02/10 23:11
Green residential electricity tariffs down 6%-17% in Greece during October
02/10 23:04
United Hellenic Voters of America presents 50th UHVA Awards Gala in Illinois
02/10 21:46
02/10 18:59
Greek FM: Excellent collaboration with Egypt for investments beyond energy
02/10 10:15
ELSTAT report: Unemployment rate falls to 9.5% in Greece during August
01/10 21:32
Collaboration between University of Athens and Google in Αrtificial Intelligence
01/10 21:31
Prime Minister: Greece will finally have a land registry in 2025
01/10 19:14
Work to prepare unique Doxipara-Zoni burials museum for visitors progressing fast
01/10 18:25
Public Power Corporation announces lower kWh green rates in Greece for October
01/10 17:35
Ministers agree to strengthen cooperation between Greek and Turkish coast guards
01/10 12:01
30/09 21:28
Piraeus Port Authority reaches new highs in half-year revenues and profits
30/09 17:12
Minister: Greece has the highest rate of increase of available income
29/09 21:29
Ratification bill for Attiki Odos concession is tabled in Greek Parliament
28/09 21:19
28/09 20:54
Lykeion ton Ellinidon Costume Museum marks European Heritage Days
26/09 22:02
Greece and South Korea sign cultural collaboration memorandum
26/09 21:55
Hellenic Initiative’s 5th Annual Venture Impact Awards opens for applications
26/09 19:51
26/09 18:58
Greece and Georgia ink agreement for mutual driver license recognition
26/09 18:47
Greece ranked 2nd internationally in best practices for Public-Private Partnerships
25/09 21:37
11 Greek environmental groups join 'Alliance for Wildlife' to preserve biodiversity
25/09 21:32
5th KinoFest: German-language film festival held at Castro Clauss in Patras
25/09 19:27
Greek Finance Ministry: Data shows significant fall in non-performing loans
25/09 17:45
Climate Crisis Minister inks procurement for 414 new fire vehicles in Greece
23/09 00:17
WTTC: U.S. remains the world’s most powerful travel and tourism market
23/09 00:05
New rail projects amounting to 1.0 billion planned in northern Greece
22/09 23:57
Minister: Promoting organic farming a priority for the Greek government
22/09 23:52
President of Hellenic Republic visits Panagia Soumela Monastery in Imathia
22/09 23:41
New framework for photovoltaics replaces net metering with net billing in Greece
19/09 21:13
Temple of Poseidon in Sounion of Attica shines bright with brand new lighting system
17/09 12:34
16/09 22:48
Revenues €2 billion above target primary surplus of €7.571 billion in Greece
16/09 22:35
Moody's ratings upgrades Greece's outlook to positive from stable
16/09 22:19
Passenger traffic in Greek ports grew by 11.4 pct during 2024 Q1
16/09 14:25
16/09 13:04
10 Years of Celebration for Golf and Maritime at the Greek Maritime Golf Event
14/09 22:38
Government spokesperson: Greece's 'brain gain' wager appears to have been won
Greek supermarket prices for 362 product codes to fall from 5% to 24%
Greek and German Presidents visit site of future Holocaust Museum in Thessaloniki
Passenger ferry 'Aghia Theodora' safely in Igoumenitsa Port after running aground
More than 4.000 participations from 28 countries in 63 activities at Navarino Challenge 2024
European Commission greenlights €40 million for flood prevention works in Athens
Greece's PPC successfully issues new 7-year bond raising 600 million euros
Enterprise Greece: 121 firms showcase environmentally friendly fashion at global shows
Greek consumer group calls for boycott of dairy products due to high prices
Green light for new central intercity bus station at Eleonas suburb of Athens
Greek Finance Ministry enforces beach regulations after 4,500 citizen complaints
Greek tankers seized by Iran allowed to depart for Piraeus port on Wednesday
NBG: Greek tourism to break record in 2024 with 35 million arrivals and €22 billion in revenue
UNWTO joins forces with Alpitour World over innovation, education and sustainability
IMF expects Greek economy to grow by 2.3% in 2024 and 2% during 2025
Increased tourist traffic in Greece during the period January-August 2024
UK Ambassador to Athens: Greece's role is of strategic significance
Greece's finance ministry reveals four main changes introduced by new tax bill
Prime Minister: Greece's economy on irreversible path to recovery