Saudi Arabia's tourism breakthrough surprises the world

Saudi Arabia has been recognized by the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) for its pioneering achievements in the tourism sector. The country has exceeded its ambitious goal of attracting 100 million tourists, reaching this figure seven years ahead of the original 2030 deadline.

More than 27 million international and 79 million domestic tourists have already visited Saudi Arabia. This is a testament to Saudi Arabia's dynamic approach to the global travel and tourism program, writes TravelandTourWorld..

Saudi Arabia began implementing its visionary tourism strategy in 2019. It is reported that in 2023 alone, the number of applications for tourism licenses increased by 390%. This surge demonstrates the exponential growth of the sector and the success of the country's strategic measures.

The development of the tourism sector also has a significant impact on the country's economy. The contribution of the travel and tourism sector to Saudi Arabia's non-oil gross value added (GVA) exceeds 7% and generates more than USD 37 billion. This underscores the key role that tourism plays in the Kingdom's efforts to diversify its economy.

These achievements have been made possible by systematic efforts to improve the tourism sector. Strategic reforms in the country, including the restructuring of tourism license fees and a significant reduction in annual government fees, have laid the foundation for a strong tourism infrastructure that has made Saudi Arabia a leading global tourism destination.

At the same time, the country is setting even more ambitious economic goals - including making tourism a major employment sector by 2030. The WTTC's commitment to supporting Saudi Arabia's goals underscores the importance of promoting sustainable development and contributing to the sector's global recovery and prosperity, highlighting the Kingdom's innovative leadership in transforming the travel and tourism landscape

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