Inbound visitors rise 8% in 2024 as Saudi bolsters tourism sector  

Saudi Arabia welcomed 29.7 million inbound visitors in 2024, its highest ever and up 8% year-on-year, as the country continues to bolster its tourism sector as a key pillar to diversify its economy. 

Inbound tourists peaked in March last year, with 3.2 million people having visited the kingdom.

Egypt emerged as the top source market for inbound tourism in 2024, with 3.2 million visitors, while Asia and the Pacific were top source regions with 9.7 million travellers, according to statistics released by Saudi’s tourism ministry.  

The report named the holy city of Makkah as the most popular destination for the second straight year, with 17.4 million inbound overnight tourists.

Domestic tourists went from 47.8 million in 2019, the last full year before the pandemic halted global tourism, to nearly 81.9 million in 2023 and 86.2 million last year. June witnessed a peak in domestic tourism, with 9.6 million visitors. 

The Makkah Province was the top destination, with 23.5 million visitors, while Riyadh city lead with 12.7 million tourists, according to the statistical report.  

From a dollars-and-cents perspective, inbound tourists spent 168.5 billion Saudi riyals last year, 19% higher than 141.2 billion Saudi riyals spend in 2023.  

Domestic visitor spending rose marginally from 114.4 billion Saudi riyals in 2023 to 115.3 billion Saudi riyals last year.  

“On the global stage, Saudi Arabia continued efforts to solidify its global leadership as a premier destination, topping global tourism figures and leaving a distinctive mark and strong presence at major international forums,” Ahmed Al-Khateeb, Saudi tourism minister said in the report’s introductory remarks.   

The kingdom led the G20 countries in the growth of international tourism numbers last year.         
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