RIYADH
Inbound tourism spending in Saudi Arabia surged to a record SR153.61 billion ($40.95 billion) in 2024, marking a 13.82 percent annual increase, according to data from the Saudi Central Bank. The rise also pushed the Kingdom’s travel balance surplus to its highest annual level yet — SR49.78 billion — up 7.81 percent from the previous year. Outbound spending by Saudi residents rose 16.94 percent year on year, reaching SR103.84 billion. In January, the Saudi Press Agency reported that the Kingdom welcomed 30 million international visitors in 2024, a 9.5 percent increase from the previous year. This influx of travelers is not merely transient, as they play a pivotal role in reshaping Saudi Arabia’s economy and global image. According to the latest Ministry of Tourism report, which covered the third quarter of 2024, non-religious tourism now accounts for the majority of international travel, signaling a broader appeal and longer stays as visitors explore the nation’s cultural, entertainment, and business offerings.
Tourism’s direct and indirect contributions — spanning sectors from transport to hospitality — brought the Kingdom’s total economic impact from travel and tourism to SR498 billion in 2024, according to the World Travel and Tourism Council. This represents 12.45 percent of gross domestic product, up from 11.5 percent the preceding year.
As part of Vision 2030, Saudi Arabia is undergoing a rapid transformation that places tourism and international investment at the heart of its future.
