Saudi Arabia Invests $800Bln to Boost Saudi Tourism
Saudi Minister of Tourism Ahmed Al-Khateeb said in an interview with the CNN that the Kingdom is investing $800 billion to build new destinations and experiences in KSA, reported KSA Projects on X. This step aims to boost the Saudi tourism.
Al-Khateeb added that citizens of 57 countries can obtain a multi-entry tourist visa in less than 5 minutes. He expressed the Kingdom’s hope to welcome 70 million international tourists by the year 2030.
Saudi Tourism in 2023
The Saudi Ministry of Tourism announced impressive figures for 2023. Tourists, both from within the country and abroad, exceeded 100 million. Their spending surpassed 250 billion Riyals. This spending boosted the GDP by over 4%, with a notable 7% contribution to the non-oil GDP.
Achieving Goals Ahead of Schedule
Achieving this target seven years early is remarkable. It demonstrates the tourism sector’s robust growth. The sector has played a key role in diversifying the economy. It has also been pivotal in providing jobs for Saudi nationals.
Significant Growth in Saudi Tourism
Tourism in Saudi Arabia has seen substantial qualitative growth. The total number of tourists reached 106.2 million. Compared to 2019, this was a 56% increase and a 12% rise from 2022.
International Tourist Influx
The international tourist count stood at 27.4 million. This was a significant increase of 56% from 2019 and 65% from 2022. This growth reflects Saudi Arabia’s growing appeal as a global tourist destination.
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