In 2023, Saudi Arabia surprised many with a record surge in spending by foreign tourists. This trend aligns closely with its broader push toward a vibrant tourism scene and the ambitious Vision 2030. Early figures from the Saudi Central Bank hint at an overall expenditure of about 154 billion riyals (roughly $41 billion), which is roughly 14% higher than last year’s mark.
Curiously, a large chunk of this boost came later in the year, when spending increased by 23% to an estimated 61 billion riyals, contributing significantly to the annual total.
Strategies to Boost Inbound Tourism
There are several reasons behind this upswing. Global marketing pushes seem to have played a central role, while broader e-visa access has made it…