Saudi Arabia’s tourism sector achieved a historic milestone in 2024, with international tourism revenue surging 148 per cent compared to 2019 – the highest growth rate among G20 nations.
This achievement reflects the success of Vision 2030, which has firmly positioned the kingdom as a global leader in tourism, entertainment and innovation.
The 2024 annual performance report highlighted record-breaking pilgrim numbers, cultural milestones, and major international events, all driven by strategic investments, regulatory reforms, and transformative mega-projects.
Vision 2030 unlocked Saudi Arabia’s vast tourism potential, establishing it as one of the fastest-growing global destinations.
In 2024, international tourist arrivals surged to 29.7 million, up from 18.04m in 2016, while domestic travellers nearly doubled to 86.2m during the same period.
Surpassing its target of 100m visitors seven years ahead of schedule, the kingdom has now set a bold new goal of attracting 150m annual tourists by 2030.
Saudi Arabia’s tourism strategy is driven by mega-projects aiming to transform the travel and hospitality industry.
Pioneering projects like The Red Sea – home to carbon-neutral resorts including Shebara, St Regis, and Ritz-Carlton Nujuma – are redefining sustainable luxury tourism. The adjacent Red Sea International Airport, the region’s first carbon-neutral terminal, strategically connects more than 250m people within a three-hour flight radius.
The kingdom’s global tourism profile continues to rise, with accolades including AlUla being named Best Cultural Tourism Project in the Middle East, Medina ranking among the world’s top 100 destinations, and the Asir region earning four awards for excellence in culinary and cultural storytelling.
To enhance accessibility, the kingdom expanded its e-visa programme to 66 countries by 2024, simplifying entry for millions of travellers.
Additionally, Saudi Arabia has emerged as a global leader in safety, ranking highest among G20 nations in security indicators, further solidifying its reputation as a welcoming and secure destination for international visitors.
In 2024, the kingdom welcomed 16.9m foreign Umrah pilgrims and 1.61m foreign Hajj pilgrims, reflecting significant growth from 2016 levels.
Innovations like the Mecca Route Initiative, which fast-tracks visa issuance and pre-clearance in eight countries, served 322,900 pilgrims in 2024 – a rise from just 1,700 in 2017.
The Nusuk platform played a key role in improving pilgrimage planning, helping achieve an 81pc satisfaction rate on the Pilgrim Experience Index. Transportation infrastructure, including the Haramain High-Speed Railway, the Mecca Bus Network, and the Al Mashaer Metro Line, facilitated the movement of 69.5m passengers between holy sites.
Saudi Arabia’s global influence expanded across sports, esports, and entertainment in 2024.
The kingdom secured the rights to host the 2034 Fifa World Cup, which will feature 48 national teams competing across 15 stadiums in Riyadh, Jeddah, NEOM, Khobar and Abha.
The tournament will be backed by 134 training facilities and 230,000 hotel units, contributing to infrastructure development, job creation, and long-term economic impact.
Meanwhile, Riyadh Season 2024 drew 19m visitors, with a total attendance of 76.9m across 423 entertainment attractions.
Tourism is a major driver of Saudi Arabia’s economic diversification, with sector employment reaching 966,500 workers in 2024, up from 683,000 in 2020. Women now play a critical role, with 112,000 Saudi women employed in tourism, marking a 67pc increase.
Investment in the sector has surged from $314.67m in 2021 to $3.95 billion by the third quarter of 2024, fuelling massive infrastructure expansion, including the kingdom’s hospitality capacity growing to 475,900 hotel rooms.
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