Riyadh, The Ministry of Tourism of Saudi Arabia reported substantial growth in the tourism sector, particularly in the leisure and holiday segments, attributing this progress to the Kingdom's Vision 2030 directives.In a statement marking World Tourism Day, observed annually on September 27, the ministry announced that Saudi Arabia welcomed 17.5 million international tourists between January and July 2024. This represents a 10% increase compared to the same period in 2023 and a 73% rise from 2019 figures, according to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA).The most notable development is a 656% increase in tourists arriving for entertainment and holiday purposes. The ministry highlighted that 4.2 million tourists visited for these reasons in the first seven months of 2024, reflecting a 25% rise from the previous year and a significant leap from pre-pandemic levels in 2019.These results underscore the success of the Kingdom's long-term tourism strategy, guided by Vision 2030, which aims to position Saudi Arabia as a global tourism destination. The Kingdom had set a target of 100 million tourists by 2030 but achieved this milestone in 2023, seven years ahead of schedule.Saudi Arabia was also recognised as the fastest-growing G20 country in the latest UN World Tourism Barometer report, leading in both international tourist numbers and tourism revenues.These figures highlight the Kingdom's strategic efforts to develop a sustainable tourism sector, improve infrastructure, and promote Saudi Arabia as a premier global destination.The ministry's accomplishments reflect the effectiveness of these initiatives, positioning the Kingdom as a key player in global tourism.Source: Bahrain News Agency