Saudi tourism is doing well

The Saudi Ministry of Tourism said the total number of tourists during the first half of 2023, reached 53.6 million, including 14.6 million inbound travelers and 39 million local tourists, marking a growth in the number of incoming visitors by 142 percent.

In the preliminary data of tourism statistics for the first half of 2023, the ministry noted that the total tourism spending in the Kingdom reached SAR 150 billion ($40 billion), distributed between SAR 86.9 billion from incoming tourism, and SAR 63.1 billion from domestic tourism.

Local tourism spending increased by 16 percent, while spending by foreign tourists rose by 132 percent.

According to the ministry, tourists visiting the country for entertainment and holidays represented 43 percent of the total, with a growth rate of 18 percent in the first half of 2023, compared to the same period last year.