Saudi has record year for travel

Travel boom produces record-breaking results for Kingdom

The Saudi Ministry of Tourism has released its annual report, revealing a landmark year for the country’s tourism sector.

The travel boom has set new records for both domestic and international travel, positioning Saudi among the world’s fastest-growing tourism destinations.

According to the report, Saudi welcomed a total of 115.9 million tourists in 2024. This includes 29.7 million inbound visitors — a record high, marking an 8% year-on-year increase, and an astounding 70% growth compared to pre-pandemic levels in 2019. On the domestic front, 86.2 million Saudis explored their own country, underscoring the growing appeal and accessibility of local destinations.

Crucially, the data also reveals a 19% year-on-year surge in spending by international tourists, with overseas visitors staying an average of 19 nights — highlighting Saudi’s increasing ability to attract and retain long-haul travellers.

One of the standout moments of the year came in March 2024, when inbound tourism peaked at 3.2 million visitors. This coincided with the Formula 1 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix at Jeddah Corniche Circuit, illustrating the strong impact of major sporting events and entertainment offerings in driving international travel.

Saudi' is already ranked number 1 among G20 countries for growth in international tourist arrivals and number 2 globally in inbound tourist growth (Jan–Nov 2024 vs. the same period in 2019), according to UN Tourism.

Ahmed Al-Khateeb, Saudi’s Minister of Tourism, acredited the country’s continued investment in infrastructure, events, and destination development as key drivers behind this success. He emphasised tourism’s critical role in fostering cultural exchange and strengthening national identity.

“These achievements, both domestic and international, strengthen our belief in the importance of tourism and its role as a driver of cultural and civilisational interaction, a bridge connecting peoples, and a window through which the world can discover the Kingdom’s deep-rooted history, rich cultural heritage, and authentic national identity. They also highlight the diversity of our destinations that attract both inbound and domestic tourists alike.”

As Saudi moves into the second half of the decade, the Ministry’s efforts look toward Vision 2030, aiming to diversify the economy, generate new job opportunities, and cement the country’s status as an exciting and welcoming destination for tourists from around the world.