Saudi Arabia has achieved a major leap in the global tourism sector, climbing 15 places to rank 12th worldwide in international tourist spending for 2023, according to a report by the UN World Tourism Organization. The notable progress reflects the Kingdom's tourism-boosting strategy, with Saudi Arabia recording the biggest advance among the top 50 countries in the global ranking.

Among G20 nations, Saudi Arabia topped the list for growth in international visitor numbers, posting a 73% increase, along with a 207% rise in international tourism revenue between January and July 2024 compared with the same period in 2019. These achievements underscore the Kingdom's position as a global tourism destination with growing appeal and an expanding range of tourism offerings that meet the expectations of visitors from around the world.

Globally, the tourism sector saw a strong recovery, reaching 96% of pre-pandemic levels between January and July 2024, with around 790 million international tourists recorded, an 11% increase compared with the same period in 2023. The Middle East emerged as the fastest-growing region worldwide, with inbound tourist numbers surpassing 2019 levels by 26%, highlighting the region's growing role in driving the global tourism recovery.