London, UK: The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) congratulates Saudi Arabia’s achievement of welcoming over 100 million tourists, a milestone achieved seven years ahead of its original schedule, signifying the Kingdom’s innovative leadership and commitment to transforming the global Travel & Tourism sector.
This landmark accomplishment, marked by the arrival of over 27 million international tourists and over 79 million domestic tourists, reflects not only Saudi Arabia’s effective strategy for economic diversification but also its steadfast commitment to promoting sustainable tourism development.
Saudi Arabia’s achievement ahead of schedule underscores the success of its proactive strategy initiated in 2019 to cultivate a vibrant tourism ecosystem. The attainment of this goal in 2023, earlier than anticipated, exemplifies the Kingdom’s capacity to surpass its visionary targets.
Saudi Arabia has seen a 390% surge in tourism activity license applications in 2023, indicating the sector’s robust growth and the effectiveness of the country’s strategic initiatives. Moreover, the Travel & Tourism sector’s increasing contribution to Saudi Arabia’s non-oil GVA, estimated to exceed 7% and over U.S.$37 billion in inbound tourism spending, highlights the significant economic impact of these efforts.
WTTC recognised Saudi Arabia’s significant achievements in tourism firsthand at its annual Global Summit. Hosted in Saud Arabia, this flagship event exemplified the Kingdom’s capacity to facilitate meaningful global dialogues, showcasing its readiness to lead discussions on the future trajectory of the Travel & Tourism sector.
Through strategic reforms, Saudi Arabia has established a solid foundation for a thriving tourism infrastructure, enhancing the Kingdom’s attractiveness as a premier global tourism destination.
Key among these reforms is the restructuring of tourism license fees, now tailored to meet specific needs and operations of investors, ensuring a more supportive and flexible regulatory environment.
The Kingdom has also taken significant steps to alleviate the financial burden on the Travel & Tourism sector by reducing annual government fees by almost 22%, with a commitment to further reductions of up to 70%. These initiatives are integral to Saudi Arabia’s broader economic diversification strategy, aiming to position the Kingdom at the forefront of global tourism and investment.
The Kingdom’s strategic emphasis on tourism has significantly contributed to job creation, with the global tourism body estimating the sector will employ 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 continues to expand its tourism infrastructure and implement strategic reforms, the global Travel & Tourism community looks forward to witnessing the Kingdom’s journey towards becoming a global powerhouse.
WTTC is committed to supporting Saudi Arabia’s ambitions, fostering sustainable development, and contributing to the sector’s global recovery and prosperity.
Source — WTTC
