Saudi Arabia has exceeded all expectations by welcoming over 100 million tourists, a milestone reached an impressive seven years ahead of schedule, the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) has revealed recently.
According to the same, the importance of this historical achievement cannot be overestimated, with the arrival of more than 27 million international tourists and 79 million domestic tourists, VisaGuide.World reports.
The UN World Tourism Organization has also applauded the country for its achievement, calling it a significant milestone in its journey to become a global tourism powerhouse.
This remarkable accomplishment achieved seven years ahead of its original schedule, not only underscores Saudi Arabia’s emergence as a global tourism powerhouse but also highlights its leading role in the economic diversification and sustainable development of the tourism sector worldwide.
2019 Tourism Motion Has Proved to Be Successful
This early achievement was driven by Saudi Arabia’s proactive approach, which was set in motion in 2019 to nurture a dynamic tourism ecosystem. Exceeding the target in 2023, well ahead of schedule, demonstrates the Kingdom’s ability to exceed its visionary targets.
As the WTTC explains, a 390 percent increase in applications for tourism activity licenses last year reflects the strong growth of the sector and the success of the country’s strategic initiatives.
Additionally, the growing contribution of the Travel and Tourism sector to Saudi Arabia’s non-oil gross value added (GVA) is estimated to exceed seven percent and exceed $37 billion in domestic tourism spending.
Saudi Arabia recently hosted a big event that showed how it can lead important global discussions about the future of travel and tourism. The country is making changes to improve its tourism infrastructure and become a top destination for tourists worldwide.
Customized Tourism License Fees Have Contributed to a Surge in Tourism
WTTC further said that one significant change is how it charges fees for tourism licenses. Now, these fees are customized to fit the needs of investors, making rules more supportive and flexible.
Also, Saudi Arabia is helping the travel and tourism industry by reducing government fees by almost 22 percent. They plan to cut costs even more, up to 70 percent. These changes are part of Saudi Arabia’s bigger plan to diversify its economy and become a leader in tourism and investment.
As the global tourism body explains, the Kingdom’s strategic focus on tourism has played a significant role in job creation, with the sector estimated to have employed over two million people last year.
This achievement aligns with Saudi Arabia’s goal to make tourism a leading employment sector by 2030, illustrating the government’s focus on fostering economic inclusivity and competitiveness.
As Saudi Arabia presses forward with its expansion of tourism infrastructure and the implementation of strategic reforms, the global Travel and Tourism community eagerly anticipates observing the Kingdom’s ascent to become a dominant force worldwide.
Previously, Saudi Arabia also started five new residency programs for 2024 to bring in skilled workers and investment from other countries. These programs are mainly for real estate, sports, healthcare experts, and more. It wants to become a global hub for talent and investment, as mentioned in a press release from the Saudi government.