Tourism in Saudi Arabia Booms with 58% Growth in Arrivals in 2023, Ranks 2nd Globally

A landmark is lit up in the colors of the Saudi national flag in Diriyah. (SPA file photo)
A landmark is lit up in the colors of the Saudi national flag in Diriyah. (SPA file photo)
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Tourism in Saudi Arabia Booms with 58% Growth in Arrivals in 2023, Ranks 2nd Globally

A landmark is lit up in the colors of the Saudi national flag in Diriyah. (SPA file photo)
A landmark is lit up in the colors of the Saudi national flag in Diriyah. (SPA file photo)

Saudi Arabia has achieved a significant milestone in the tourism sector, ranking second globally in terms of tourist arrivals during the first seven months of 2023.

According to the Ministry of Tourism, the Kingdom witnessed a remarkable 58% growth in tourist numbers during the first seven months of this year compared to the same period in 2019.

The data is sourced from the UNWTO World Tourism Barometer, published by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) in September 2023.

This is a continuation of Saudi Arabia's success in the tourism industry and its position as a global leader in this field. Riyadh hosted World Tourism Day on September 27-28.

Minister of Tourism Ahmed Al-Khateeb said this achievement would not have been possible without the support of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister.

This achievement strengthens the Kingdom's status as a global tourist destination. The substantial rise in tourist arrivals reflects the confidence travelers have in the variety and quality of tourism options available in Saudi Arabia.



Saudi Market Authority: Kingdom Unaffected by Global Technical Disruptions

Two investors monitor stock prices on the Saudi Tadawul screen (Reuters)
Two investors monitor stock prices on the Saudi Tadawul screen (Reuters)
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Saudi Market Authority: Kingdom Unaffected by Global Technical Disruptions

Two investors monitor stock prices on the Saudi Tadawul screen (Reuters)
Two investors monitor stock prices on the Saudi Tadawul screen (Reuters)

The Saudi Capital Market Authority (CMA) has assured the integrity and full operational readiness of its systems following global technical disruptions affecting various sectors.
The CMA confirmed that it has been coordinating with relevant authorities from the outset to ensure uninterrupted service for all investors during Sunday’s trading sessions.
In a statement released on Saturday, the CMA emphasized that listed companies in the financial market have been instructed to disclose any significant developments related to the issue.
The Saudi Stock Exchange, Tadawul, also confirmed the reliability and readiness of its systems to ensure uninterrupted service for all investors.
The CMA highlighted that technical teams are monitoring the systems round-the-clock to ensure the continuous functioning of services and the technical infrastructure, ensuring business continuity and system efficiency in the market.
Limited Impact
Since the onset of the global technical crisis, the Saudi National Cybersecurity Authority (NCA) reported that the impact on the Kingdom has been limited.
In a statement, the NCA referenced media reports of widespread technical failures in critical sectors worldwide and clarified that the impact on national entities in Saudi Arabia has been minimal, based on current assessments.
The NCA attributed these global disruptions to a technical error in a product update released by cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike early Friday morning.
Cyber Incidents
The NCA credited the robust support and significant backing from Saudi leadership for the cybersecurity sector, enabling proactive measures to detect and address cyber threats and risks.
The NCA has also been committed to fostering local cybersecurity capabilities and enhancing technological sovereignty.
The NCA affirmed that its cybersecurity regulations and standards have bolstered the security and reliability of the Kingdom’s cyberspace, positively impacting the protection of national entities and critical infrastructure.
The authority continues to oversee compliance with these regulations through its National Cybersecurity Services Portal (Haseen), working in partnership with all national entities to enhance national cybersecurity.
This initiative is fundamental to safeguarding the Kingdom’s vital interests, critical infrastructure, government services, and key sectors in both the public and private domains.