Saudi Arabia climbs to 3rd place in global tourism rankings with 61pc growth
Dhaka: Saudi Arabia now ranks third worldwide as a top tourism destination with a staggering growth of 61 per cent in international visitor arrivals, according to a recent UN Tourism report.
The Kingdom experienced this impressive growth in tourism during the first nine months of 2024 compared to 2019, said Saudi Press Agency in a report.
Led by the Ministry of Tourism, Saudi Arabia has rolled out plans under Vision 2030 to transform its tourism landscape.
Key investments in infrastructure, a focus on cultural and historical landmarks and the development of new attractions have positioned the country as a vibrant and unique destination for travellers from around the world, added the report.
In addition, Saudi Arabia witnessed a remarkable rise in inbound tourist spending, advancing 15 places from global rankings of 2023 to the current position of 12th.
The shift marks the Kingdom as one of the fastest-growing tourism economies, outpacing several other nations in terms of attracting high-spending visitors, further mentioned the report.
Saudi Arabia also led the G20 countries in growth in international tourist arrivals in the first seven months of 2024, compared to 2019.
As the Kingdom invests heavily in sustainable tourism infrastructure, from ancient sites like AlUla to the futuristic city of NEOM, the tourism sector is becoming a driving force in diversifying the economy, creating jobs and offering visitors memorable experiences, concluded the report.
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