Saudi Arabia’s international tourism revenue soars by 148%, leading G20 nations 

In 2024, international tourist arrivals surged to 29.7 million, up from 18.04 million in 2016, while domestic travelers nearly doubled to 86.2 million during the same period.  Shutterstock
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Updated 09 May 2025
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Saudi Arabia’s international tourism revenue soars by 148%, leading G20 nations 

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s tourism sector achieved a historic milestone in 2024, with international tourism revenue surging 148 percent 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.   

Tourism boom 

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 18.04 million in 2016, while domestic travelers nearly doubled to 86.2 million during the same period.  

Surpassing its target of 100 million visitors seven years ahead of schedule, the Kingdom has now set a bold new goal of attracting 150 million 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 over 250 million people within a three-hour flight radius. 

In Diriyah, the birthplace of the first Saudi state, 3 million visitors experienced a seamless blend of heritage and hospitality, with developments like the Bab Samhan Hotel offering modern luxury rooted in history. 

Meanwhile, at Qiddiya, major entertainment attractions are nearing completion, with Aquarabia Park 81 percent finished and Six Flags Park 87 percent completed. 

The Kingdom’s global tourism profile continues to rise, with accolades including AlUla being named Best Cultural Tourism Project in the Middle East, Madinah 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 program to 66 countries by 2024, simplifying entry for millions of travelers.  

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. 

Pilgrimage services 

Serving pilgrims remains a cornerstone of Saudi Arabia’s responsibilities. Vision 2030 has transformed the Hajj and Umrah experience into a model of efficiency, accessibility, and safety. 

In 2024, the Kingdom welcomed 16.9 million foreign Umrah pilgrims and 1.61 million foreign Hajj pilgrims, reflecting significant growth from 2016 levels. 

Innovations like the Makkah 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 81 percent satisfaction rate on the Pilgrim Experience Index. Transportation infrastructure, including the Haramain High-Speed Railway, the Makkah Bus Network, and the Al-Mashaer Metro Line, facilitated the movement of 69.5 million passengers between holy sites. 

The Kingdom’s commitment to pilgrims’ well-being is evident in its healthcare services. In 2024, 390,000 pilgrims received medical care, and 40,000 medical staff were mobilized. Adding to that, 189 hospitals, centers, and mobile clinics were deployed, and 28 open-heart surgeries and 720 cardiac catheterizations were performed. 

About 153,000 volunteers supported pilgrimage operations in 2024, up from just 3,352 in 2021, showcasing the growing culture of community service.  

Hosting mega-events  

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, Al 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. 

In the digital realm, Saudi Arabia hosted the inaugural Esports World Cup, the largest tournament of its kind, featuring 1,500 professional players, 500 elite clubs, and 22 competitions. Team Falcons emerged as champions, and the Kingdom further solidified its leadership by winning hosting rights for the Olympic Esports Games.  

Meanwhile, Riyadh Season 2024 drew 19 million visitors, with a total attendance of 76.9 million across 423 entertainment attractions. 

The festival featured top-tier performances, immersive themed zones, and vibrant cultural displays, reinforcing its reputation as a global entertainment event. 

Cultural renaissance 

Vision 2030 has revitalized Saudi Arabia’s cultural identity, merging ancient heritage with modern creativity. 

The Kingdom now boasts eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including the newly listed Al-Faw Archaeological Site, and 16 UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage elements celebrating traditions like Arabic calligraphy, Saudi coffee, and falconry.  

Groundbreaking discoveries such as the Bronze Age Village of Al-Natah in AlUla have further illuminated the region’s rich history. 

In arts and entertainment, the critically acclaimed film "Norah" became the first Saudi production selected for the Cannes Film Festival’s official lineup, while the Kingdom’s first Arabic opera, Zarqa Al Yamama, premiered to acclaim.  

The King Salman Global Academy for Arabic Language trained 782 international students, promoting Arabic language and culture across three continents.  

Economic impact 

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 67 percent increase. 

Investment in the sector has surged from $314.67 million in 2021 to $3.95 billion by the third quarter of 2024, fueling massive infrastructure expansion, including the Kingdom’s hospitality capacity growing to 475,900 hotel rooms. 


Saudi Arabia, Kuwait sign MoU to boost anti-money laundering efforts

Updated 22 June 2025
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Saudi Arabia, Kuwait sign MoU to boost anti-money laundering efforts

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia and Kuwait have signed a memorandum of understanding to bolster cooperation in the fight against money laundering and the financing of terrorism, reinforcing regional efforts to strengthen financial security.

The agreement, inked between Saudi Arabia’s General Department of Financial Investigations and Kuwait’s Financial Intelligence Unit, was finalized on the sidelines of the second meeting of the Gulf Cooperation Council Committee of Financial Intelligence Units, held in Kuwait, the Kuwait News Agency reported.

The MoU aims to enhance intelligence sharing and operational coordination between the two nations. It is expected to significantly improve the effectiveness of the region’s financial crime prevention frameworks, aligning with international standards and bolstering joint mechanisms among GCC financial intelligence units.

The signing follows a virtual workshop hosted in March by the National Center for Non-Profit Sector Development, which focused on preventing money laundering and terrorist financing within non-profit organizations, including charitable groups and foundations.

The agreement also reflects broader economic ties between the two Gulf neighbors. In February, Kuwait’s exports to Saudi Arabia reached SR137 million ($36.5 million), up 19.6 percent from the previous year, according to data from the Observatory of Economic Complexity.

Officials from both countries highlighted the MoU’s role in advancing national capabilities, fostering regional integration, and aligning with best practices in financial intelligence and compliance.

The renewed cooperation comes as Saudi Arabia continues to encourage Kuwaiti investment in its mining and industrial sectors.

In April, Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar Alkhorayef met with a delegation of Kuwaiti businessmen during an official visit to Kuwait, emphasizing untapped opportunities in the Kingdom’s mining industry.

Alkhorayef underscored the sector’s importance to Saudi Vision 2030, which aims to position the Kingdom as a global industrial and mining hub. He cited estimates valuing Saudi mineral resources at over SR9.3 trillion.

Combatting money laundering remains a national priority for Saudi Arabia, which has implemented a comprehensive legal and regulatory framework to protect the integrity of its financial system and prevent illicit funding activities, including terrorism financing.


Closing Bell: Saudi main index edges down 0.34% to close at 10,574

Updated 9 min 20 sec ago
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Closing Bell: Saudi main index edges down 0.34% to close at 10,574

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Tadawul All Share Index edged lower on Sunday, falling 36.44 points, or 0.34 percent, to close at 10,574.27.

Total trading turnover reached SR3.72 billion ($991 million), with 134 stocks posting gains and 102 declining.

The Kingdom’s parallel market, Nomu, also recorded a slight dip, losing 27.14 points, or 0.10 percent, to settle at 26,148.69, as 34 stocks advanced and 39 retreated. Meanwhile, the MSCI Tadawul 30 Index dropped 5.34 points, or 0.39 percent, to finish at 1,361.80.

Alistithmar AREIC Diversified REIT Fund was the best-performing stock of the session, with its share price rising 10 percent to SR8.25. Al Sagr Cooperative Insurance Co. followed with a 9.96 percent increase to SR12.36, while Knowledge Economic City climbed 5.36 percent to close at SR12.98.

On the losing side, Retal Urban Development Co. saw the steepest decline, falling 5.10 percent to SR13.02. Flynas Co. dropped 4.13 percent to SR74.20, and Saudi Chemical Co. declined 3.85 percent to SR6.24.

Shares of Hawiya Identity Auctions began trading on Nomu at SR13 per share. According to a Tadawul statement, the offering comprised 2.4 million shares, with Derayah Financial Co. acting as lead manager.

Gas Arabian Services Co. announced the signing of a joint venture agreement with Italy’s BONOMI Co. to establish a valve manufacturing company in the Kingdom.

The new company will have a capital of SR5 million, with BONOMI holding a 60 percent stake and Gas Arabian Services owning 40 percent.

The Saudi firm will fund its SR2 million share from internal resources. The deal is expected to have a long-term positive financial impact, though it remains subject to regulatory approvals and the fulfillment of conditions outlined in the agreement. Gas Arabian Services shares closed at SR15, up 0.40 percent.

The price range for the offering of the Sports Clubs Co. ranged between SR7 and SR7.5 per share, according to a statement by Saudi Fransi Capital, the financial advisor and bookrunner for the institutional subscription.

The offering includes 34.32 million ordinary shares, representing 30 percent of the company’s capital.


Saudi culture sector to triple GDP share to $48bn by 2030, says minister

Updated 22 June 2025
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Saudi culture sector to triple GDP share to $48bn by 2030, says minister

JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia plans to raise the cultural sector’s contribution to gross domestic product to 3 percent — or SR180 billion ($48 billion) — by 2030, up from under 1 percent, according to Minister of Culture Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan.

In an interview with Al-Eqtisadiah, the minister said the sector has already surpassed its previous 0.91 percent GDP share, with Vision 2030 targets being met ahead of schedule.

“Vision 2030 forms the foundation of the Ministry of Culture’s strategy and direction,” he said. 

“By 2030, we envision a cultural environment that nurtures talent, encourages innovation both locally and internationally, and supports the flourishing of creative and cultural enterprises.” Prince Badr said in the interview. 

“Ultimately, our goal is to increase the sector’s contribution to GDP to 3 percent, equivalent to SR180 billion,” he said. “This represents the core mission of the Ministry of Culture and its affiliated bodies in driving an ambitious cultural transformation.”

Since the ministry’s founding in 2018, employment in the sector has jumped 318 percent, while the number of cultural graduates reached 28,800 in 2024, up 79 percent from 2018. The ministry has also issued over 9,000 licenses, while cultural associations and amateur clubs surged from 28 to 993.

“One notable outcome is the increase in the percentage of citizens who believe culture is important—from under 70 percent to 92 percent,” Prince Badr said. The ministry also oversees national celebrations such as Founding Day and Flag Day and has documented 9,317 antiquities sites and 25,000 urban heritage locations.

Saudi Arabia has now met its Vision 2030 target of having eight UNESCO World Heritage sites, with Al-Faw joining the list in 2024. Cultural event attendance exceeded 23.5 million between 2021 and 2024, and major festivals such as the Red Sea Film Festival and Islamic Arts Biennale have become global draws.

The Cultural Scholarship Program has awarded scholarships to 1,222 students studying at over 120 institutions across countries, including the US, the UK, and France. The program’s flexible design — no age limit or required academic background — has broadened participation. “Today, scholarship recipients are pursuing degrees in fields such as music, theater, and visual arts,” the minister said.

Through the Cultural Development Fund, the ministry has disbursed SR377 million to more than 120 projects. “Key areas of growth include heritage, music, and fashion. More than 1,200 creatives and entrepreneurs have benefited from its development services,” he added.

“Globally, there is increasing recognition of culture’s role in sustainable economic value creation,” the minister said. “Our role is to preserve and promote cultural identity while making it accessible and economically valuable.”


Saudi Arabia surpasses 116m tourists in 2024, exceeds goal for 2nd year 

Updated 22 June 2025
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Saudi Arabia surpasses 116m tourists in 2024, exceeds goal for 2nd year 

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia welcomed 116 million tourists in 2024, exceeding its annual visitor target for the second year in a row, the official data showed. 

According to the Ministry of Tourism’s latest annual statistical report, the figure includes 29.7 million inbound tourists, an 8 percent increase year on year, and 86.2 million domestic trips, up 5 percent from 2023. 

The milestone reflects the continued acceleration of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 strategy, which positions tourism as a central driver of economic diversification.  

After surpassing its original 100 million visitor goal six years ahead of schedule in 2023, Saudi Arabia has revised its ambitions upward, now aiming to attract 150 million tourists annually by 2030. This figure is split between 70 million international and 80 million domestic visitors. 

In a post on X, Minister of Tourism Ahmed Al-Khateeb said: “The 2024 Annual Statistical Report showcases the sector’s remarkable growth and its role in enabling Saudi Vision2030, a record performance achieved with the support and guidance of the Kingdom’s visionary leadership.”

Total tourism spending in 2024 hit SR283.8 billion ($75.6 billion), with inbound tourists contributing SR168.5 billion, up 19 percent from 2023, while domestic tourist expenditure reached SR115.3 billion, a 1 percent rise.  

“The tourism sector continued to achieve record growth, reaffirming its transformation into a key driver of economic development and a fundamental pillar in advancing and diversifying the national economy,” the minister said.   

Inbound tourism also reached a record monthly peak in March with 3.2 million visitors. The average international tourist stayed 19 nights and spent SR5,669 per trip.  

A standout development in 2024 was the continued rise in non-religious tourism, now representing 59 percent of inbound visits compared to 44 percent in 2019.  

Leisure and holiday travel topped this category, with related spending reaching SR36.4 billion.   

Makkah remained the top destination, drawing 17.4 million overnight visitors, and Egypt was the leading source market with 3.2 million arrivals.   

Regional analysis revealed that Asia and the Pacific accounted for the largest share of inbound tourists, at 33 percent, followed by the Middle East and North Africa at 28 percent, and the Gulf Cooperation Council at 27 percent.  

Europe contributed 8 percent, while both the Americas and Africa each made up 2 percent of total visitors.  

The sustained growth reflects the Kingdom’s continued focus on developing its tourism infrastructure and global outreach.   

The ministry noted that this report highlights the exceptional and accelerated growth achieved by the sector through targeted marketing campaigns and support programs, contributing to the sector’s record-breaking performance.  
 


Air France eyes daily Paris-Riyadh flights amid soaring demand

Updated 22 June 2025
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Air France eyes daily Paris-Riyadh flights amid soaring demand

  • New route reflects airline’s ambition to reestablish presence in Saudi market
  • It comes in response to growing demand to access Kingdom’s expanding economic opportunities

RIYADH: Air France is planning to operate daily flights between Paris and Riyadh, a senior airline official told Arab News in an exclusive interview.

The announcement follows the launch of the carrier’s first direct route between Paris-Charles de Gaulle and King Khalid International Airport.

Stefan Gumuseli, the airline’s general manager for India and the Middle East, outlined the importance of the new route for the Air France-KLM Group and said it reflects the airline’s ambition to reestablish its presence in the Saudi market.

The decision comes in response to growing demand from travelers and investors eager to access the Kingdom’s expanding economic opportunities.

The new route marks a strategic step for Air France as it expands operations in the region and aligns with the growing connectivity between Europe and Saudi Arabia.

As part of its sustainability strategy, Air France is adopting a comprehensive approach across its operations. Supplied

Talking to Arab News, Gumuseli said: “We’re starting with three weekly flights in mid-June, then gradually increasing to five. Our first major goal is to move to a daily service.”

He added that the market is not only outward-looking; the airline is also responding to rising inbound demand for Saudi Arabia, noting that it is experiencing almost exponential year-on-year growth.

Gumuseli also pointed to the Kingdom’s Vision 2030, which reflects a strong commitment to developing tourism, hospitality, and culture, supported by substantial ongoing investments. He said: “All these megaprojects are a clear sign that tourism is booming. We have a strong relationship with Saudi Arabia and are expanding our cooperation.”

His comments were echoed by Air France’s Senior Vice President for Benelux, Asia, India, the Middle East, and East Africa Bas Gerressen, who told Arab News: “Tourism is a very important factor, but we also need traffic, which has grown significantly over the past two years.

“The more connectivity there is between the two countries, the more economic exchange will flourish in both directions,” Gerressen added. 

Air France-KLM has entered into codeshare agreements to strengthen its network connectivity.

“We also place our code on these flights. So, when you consider all that connectivity from both sides, demand can only grow,” Gerressen said.

He added: “I believe Saudi Arabia has many premium travelers, and we need to reach them in specific markets. We already have strong demand across our business, premium and economy classes.”

At the same time, the airline is leveraging its distinctive French identity.

The new route marks a strategic step for Air France as it expands operations in the region. Supplied

‘We position ourselves as a truly French brand — luxury, elegance, sophistication ... The French Touch. You can feel it the moment you board,” said Gerressen.

High-end products, gourmet in-flight dining, La Premiere lounges, and exclusive cabin experiences all reinforce this premium positioning. “We offer one of the best cabins in the region with our new first class, featuring a seat with five windows and just four seats in the entire cabin. It’s a revolution in the industry,” Gerressen added.

He emphasized the cabin crew’s vital role in shaping the passenger experience, highlighting their attentiveness and approachable demeanor.

As part of its sustainability strategy, Air France is adopting a comprehensive approach across its operations.

“Each new generation of aircraft reduces CO₂ emissions by up to 25 percent. Today, 28 percent of our fleet consists of these new aircraft, and our goal is to increase this figure to 80 percent by 2030,” Gerressen said. 

The airline is also the world’s leading buyer of sustainable aviation fuel. 

Gumuseli said: “We account for nearly 16 percent of global SAF usage, despite representing only 3 percent of total global kerosene consumption.”

Air France is investing in technology to enhance the passenger experience.

“We’ve decided to install high-speed Wi-Fi on board. In the event of a delay, passengers will receive updates about their connecting flights directly on their screens. With data and technology, we can truly personalize the service,” Gumuseli said.

“Our target customers include expatriates living in Saudi Arabia and tourists wishing to travel to Europe, North America, South America or Africa. Businesses are also a key audience, given the strong commercial ties between France and Saudi Arabia. We aim to serve all these segments,” said Gumuseli.

“Religious tourism should not be overlooked. Pilgrims can now combine Umrah with a more tourist-oriented experience,” he added.

Gerressen stressed the importance of the eVisa: “It is crucial. Simplifying the visa process will be essential in convincing more people to visit Saudi Arabia.”