RIYADH, Nov 2 (Bernama-SPA) -- Saudi Arabia’s tourism sector continues its impressive growth, advancing 15 positions in international tourism receipts and leading the Top 50 ranking in upward movement, Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported.
The UN World Tourism Organisation, ranked Saudi Arabia 12th in 2023, making a significant improvement from its 2019 ranking.
The UN body in a press release issued Friday said Saudi Arabia has led G20 countries in growth on the UN Tourism Barometer, achieving a 73 per cent increase in international tourist arrivals and a 207 per cent rise in international tourism receipts based on the latest data from the first seven months of 2024 compared to the same period in 2019.
These impressive gains reflect the Kingdom’s success as a leading tourism destination.
The steady increase in international tourist arrivals further underscores the trust visitors place in Saudi Arabia’s rich and diverse attractions, SPA reported.
Globally, international tourist arrivals reached 96 per cent of pre-pandemic levels in the first seven months of 2024, totalling an estimated 790 million tourists – an 11 per cent increase over the same period in 2023.
The release disclosed that the Middle East maintained the lead as the strongest-growing region, with international arrivals rising 26 per cent over 2019 levels.
-- BERNAMA-SPA
