The Next Horizon: Sustainable Tourism In Saudi Arabia

Tourism in Saudi Arabia

Tourism is emerging as a vital sector for Saudi Arabia. The Kingdom is leveraging its natural and historical assets to draw visitors from around the world. As part of Vision 2030, Saudi Arabia aims to diversify its oil-dependent economy by becoming a tourism destination, with a target of welcoming 150 million annual visitors by 2030.¹

In 2023, the tourism sector expanded by over 32 percent, contributing SAR444.3 billion (approximately US$118.4 billion) to Saudi Arabia's GDP, which accounted for 11.5 percent of the total economy.² Additionally, the surge in tourist spending has had a profound impact on the Kingdom's balance of payments. In the first quarter of 2023, tourism revenues reached SAR37 billion, resulting in a surplus of SAR22.8 billion in the balance of payments for the sector.³ This contribution highlights the sector's pivotal role in the nation's economic framework.