Saudi Arabia Aims for 10% Tourism Contribution to Economy by 2030

Minister of Tourism Ahmed Al-Khateeb affirmed that the tourism sector currently contributes 5% of Saudi Arabia’s economy, up from 3% in 2019, with a target of 10% by 2030, while globally, tourism accounts for 10% of the world economy.
 Speaking during the Saudi-US Investment Forum in Riyadh, the minister highlighted the role of Saudi Vision 2030 in attracting 100 million tourists. He also pointed out the streamlined visa procedures, which allow citizens of 65 countries to obtain a tourist visa to Saudi Arabia in as little as two to five minutes.
 Al-Khateeb stated that Saudi Arabia is now among the world’s top 10 most visited countries, with the number of international visitors growing from around five million in 2019 to over 30 million. The goal is to reach 50 million international tourists by 2030, positioning Saudi Arabia among the top five most visited countries globally.
 “We are very excited to build this new sector,” Al-Khateeb added. “Under the directives of HRH the Crown Prince, we are exploring the Kingdom's untapped opportunities and hidden treasures. We are accelerating our progress toward achieving the 2030 goals, and tourism will become as vital to our economy as oil.”