According to data from the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), Saudi Arabia's tourism revenue plummeted sharply since the COVID-19 pandemic. This was due to restrictions on public activities to prevent the spread of the virus.
At the beginning of the pandemic in 2020, Saudi Arabia's tourism revenue reached only US$4.65 billion, a plunge of approximately 76.6% compared to 2019 (year-on-year/YoY).
Similarly, in 2021, Saudi Arabia's tourism revenue fell again to US$4.64 billion. This figure is the third lowest in almost two decades.
In the last twenty years, Saudi Arabia's tourism revenue was lowest in 2003 at only US$3.42 billion, followed by 2005 at US$4.63 billion.
On the other hand, Saudi Arabia's highest tourism revenue was in 2019. There was a significant year-on-year increase in tourism revenue in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia from 2012 to 2019, as shown in the graph above.
Starting in 2022, Saudi Arabia's tourism revenue is projected to improve, along with the easing of COVID-19 transmission in many countries.
Currently, the Saudi Arabian government has also relaxed several policies related to tourist visits to the country. The number of global Hajj pilgrims in 2022 and 2023 continues to increase compared to the early pandemic period.