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For decades, tourists have visited the great wonders of the Middle East and North Africa, trekking through ancient souks and unwinding on vast, unspoiled Gulf coastlines. 

Now, there’s a new focal point for international tourists looking for new experiences. Since opening its doors to international visitors in 2019, Saudi Arabia has been offering tourists history, heritage, culture, sea, sunshine, and more. 

Despite being a relatively new destination on the global tourism landscape, in the first nine months of 2023, Saudi Arabia has ranked first among G20 nations on the growing number of tourists entering the country. 

This marks a 50% growth compared to the same period in 2019, according to the World Tourism Barometer report recently released by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO.)

The Ministry of Tourism said the sector has significantly contributed to the kingdom’s economy. 

Moreover, the report outlined that Saudi has landed the second position globally as the fastest-growing tourist destination, achieving a recovery rate of 150% compared to pre-COVID-19 levels.

This surpasses the global average of 87% while also acting as the highest in the Middle East region, which reached a 120% recovery compared to pre-pandemic levels.