The Saudi Arabian tourism sector experienced significant growth in 2023, welcoming 8.6 million visitors from Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries and generating over SAR15 billion, according to official data published by the Kingdom’s Ministry of Tourism.
The report identified Bahrain as the leading origin of tourists visiting Saudi Arabia, with 3.4 million people having visited the Kingdom in 2023. Kuwait followed with 2.3 million, the UAE with 1.4 million, Qatar with 1.1 million, and Oman with 455,000 visitors.
Overall, 27 million international visitors spent SAR141 billion in the Kingdom in 2023.
The report underscores the robust growth of Saudi Arabia’s tourism sector, driven by increasing visitor numbers from the GCC and other regions. This growth has significantly contributed to the Saudi economy, reinforcing the Kingdom’s status as a premier tourism destination.
In 2023, Saudi Arabia welcomed over 109 million domestic and international tourists, surpassing its 2030 target seven years ahead of schedule. The Kingdom—which has invested $800 billion in the sector—has increased its target to 150 million visitors.
