KSA sees 73% rise in global tourists

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) has registered 73% increase in the number of international tourists in the first seven months of 2024, according to the latest data released by UN Tourism Barometer at the G20 Tourism Ministerial Meeting in Brazil. The Kingdom achieved 56% growth in the number of international tourists during 2023 compared to 2019, with 27.4 million tourists.

TT Bureau

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) tops the list of G20 countries in the growth rate of international tourists and tourism revenues, according to the latest data for the first seven months of 2024 compared to the same period in 2019. The kingdom achieved an increase of 73 per cent in the number of international tourists, while the international tourism revenues recorded an increase of 207 per cent, according to the latest UN Tourism Barometer report issued this week at the G20 Tourism Ministerial Meeting in Belem, Brazil.

Several tourist destinations in the Kingdom witnessed a significant increase in the number of international tourists this year, with 17.5 million tourists during the first seven months of 2024. The Kingdom achieved a growth of 56 per cent in the number of international tourists during 2023 compared to 2019, with 27.4 million tourists, and travel receipts recorded a historical surplus of SAR 48 billion during 2023, an annual increase of 38 per cent.

In its September report after the conclusion of the ‘Article IV Consultation 2024’, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) praised the unprecedented achievements made by the Kingdom’s tourism sector under Saudi Vision 2030, diversifying the economic sectors, in which travel and tourism emerged as the most important – recording the highest level in the number of visitors, spending, job creation and contribution to GDP.

These achievements reinforce the Kingdom’s position as a leading global destination, and the continuous growth in the number of inbound tourists reflects in the Kingdom’s attractive options and diversity for visitors.

According to the latest World Tourism Barometer by UN Tourism, around 790 million tourists travelled internationally in the first seven months of 2024, about 11 per cent more than in 2023 and only 4 per cent less than in 2019. Data show a strong start to the year, followed by a more modest second quarter. Results are in line with UN Tourism’s projection of a full recovery in international arrivals in 2024 despite ongoing economic and geopolitical risks.

Zurab Pololikashvili, Secretary-General, UN Tourism, said: “International tourism is on track to consolidate its full recovery from the biggest crisis in the sector’s history. The ongoing rebound comes despite a range of economic and geopolitical challenges, highlighting the strong demand for international travel, as well as the effectiveness of boosting air connections and easing visa restrictions. This recovery also highlights the growing need for tourism
planning and managing to cater for its impacts on communities in a way that the immense socio-economic benefits are paired with inclusive and sustainable policies.”

Middle East continues to lead the recovery

With increased air connectivity and visa facilitation supporting the recovery in international travel, the data shows all world regions have recorded a strong year so far.

The Middle East remained the strongest growing region in relative terms, with international arrivals climbing 26 per cent above 2019 levels in the first seven months of 2024. Africa welcomed 7 per cent more tourists than in the same months of 2019. Europe and the Americas recovered 99 per cent and 97 per cent of their pre-pandemic arrivals respectively during these seven months. Asia and the Pacific recorded 82 per cent of its pre-pandemic tourist numbers (-18 per cent versus 2019) reaching 85 per cent in June and 86 per cent in July.

A total of 67 out of 120 destinations around the world had recovered 2019 arrival numbers in the first half of 2024, based on countries reporting monthly or quarterly data. Some of the strongest performers in January-July 2024 were Qatar (+147 per cent versus 2019) where arrivals more than doubled, Albania (+93 per cent), El Salvador (+81 per cent), Saudi Arabia (+73 per cent), the Republic of Moldova (+50 per cent through June) and Tanzania (+49 per cent through June).

Data show stronger results

Regarding international tourism receipts, 47 out of 63 countries with available data had recovered pre-pandemic values in the first six months of 2024, many reporting strong double-digit growth compared to 2019 (in local currencies and current prices). Among the best performers through June or July 2024 were Albania (+128 per cent) and Serbia (+126 per cent) where receipts more than doubled (compared to the same period of 2019), followed by Tajikistan (+85 per cent), Pakistan (+76 per cent), Montenegro (+70 per cent), North Macedonia (+60 per cent) and Portugal (+57 per cent). Strong results were also reported by Türkiye (+55 per cent) and Colombia (+54 per cent). Worth noting based on first quarter data, are Saudi Arabia (+207 per cent) and El Salvador (+168 per cent) which enjoyed extraordinary growth compared to Q1 2019.

Data on international tourism expenditure reveals strong demand for outbound travel in January-July 2024, especially from large source markets, such as the United States (+32 per cent), Germany (+38 per cent), and the United Kingdom (+40 per cent through March), compared to the same period of 2019. Strong outbound spending was also reported by Australia (+34 per cent), Canada (+28 per cent) and Italy (+26 per cent), all through June 2024. Limited data for India shows an impressive surge in outbound spending, with 86 per cent growth in Q1 2024 (versus Q1 2019).

2024 looks positive

The UN Tourism Confidence Index shows positive expectations for the last part of the year, at 120 points for September-December 2024, though below the prospects for May-August, which stood at 130 (on a scale of 0 to 200, where 100 reflects equal expected performance). Some 47 per cent of the tourism experts participating in the Confidence survey expect better performance for the sector in the last four months of 2024, while 41 per cent project similar performance and 11 per cent worse. This reflects a gradual normalization of tourism performance after a strong 2023.