Saudi Arabia sees highest global jump in tourism spending in early 2025 — UN report
This was revealed in the latest World Tourism Barometer published by the United Nations Tourism agency in May.
Saudi Minister of Tourism Ahmed Al Khateeb welcomed this achievement on X, saying it supports the Kingdom's efforts to boost tourism as part of its Saudi Vision 2030.
The report also showed that the Kingdom placed third globally in the increase of international tourist arrivals and second in the Middle East for the same period.
International tourist arrivals to Saudi Arabia surged by 102 percent in Q1 of 2025 compared to Q1 of 2019. This is far above the global average growth of 3 percent and the Middle East regional average of 44 percent. Tourism spending hit $13.2 billion
According to the Ministry's report, the country reached SAR 49.4 billion or around $13.2 billion in international visitor spending in Q1 2025, a 9.7 percent rise from 2024.
Meanwhile, travel account surplus stood at SAR 26.8 billion, reflecting an 11.7 percent increase from the same period last year.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Zawya
an hour ago
- Zawya
Oman's non-oil exports increase 7% to $7bln
Muscat – Buoyed by strong demand for Omani products in the UAE, Saudi Arabia and India, the sultanate's non-oil exports recorded a robust increase of over 7% during the first five months of 2025. According to data released by the National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI), Oman's total non-oil exports rose by 7.2% to RO2.701bn between January and May 2025, compared to RO2.521bn during the same period in 2024. The growth was largely driven by rising demand from key regional and global markets. Exports to the United Arab Emirates surged by nearly 23%, reaching RO485mn in the January–May period of 2025, up from RO395mn during the corresponding period last year. Shipments to Saudi Arabia climbed by 34.9% to RO451mn, compared to RO335mn a year earlier. India also emerged as a strong market for Omani products, with non-oil exports increasing by 38.9% to RO280mn in the first five months of 2025, from RO202mn in the same period of 2024. The NCSI data indicated that the recovery in non-oil exports is broad-based across nearly all of Oman's major trading partners – with the notable exception of the United States. This performance highlights the continued success of Omani exporters in expanding their reach and meeting overseas demand. However, exports to the United States fell by 17.5% to RO159mn in the first five months of this year, down from RO193mn during the same period last year. Non-oil exports to other countries also recorded modest growth of 1.5%, amounting to RO1.125bn between January and May 2025, compared to RO1.108bn in 2024. In terms of product categories, Oman's mineral product exports stood at RO716mn in the first five months of 2025, slightly lower than RO721mn during the same period last year. Exports of chemical products, however, rose by 9.2% to RO339mn, up from RO311mn. With enhanced production capacity in Oman's downstream industries, exports of plastics, rubber and related items remained relatively stable at RO394mn, compared to RO399mn in the corresponding period of 2024. Base metals and related articles contributed RO568mn in export value during the five-month period, reflecting a 1.4% increase from RO560mn last year. Meanwhile, exports of live animals and animal products rose by 9.9% to RO164mn. In contrast, Oman's re-export activity declined by 10.3% in the first five months of 2025, falling to RO623mn from RO695mn during the same period in 2024. This drop was primarily attributed to lower transshipments of transport equipment and mineral products. © Apex Press and Publishing Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Zawya
an hour ago
- Zawya
Mideast Stocks: Gulf markets rebound on US-Japan trade deal, strong earnings
Gulf stocks rebounded on Wednesday following U.S. President Donald Trump's announcement of a trade deal with Japan, fuelling hopes of further agreements ahead of a fast-approaching tariff deadline, while positive corporate earnings also bolstered market sentiment. Trump said on Tuesday that the U.S. and Japan had struck a trade deal that includes a 15% tariff on U.S. imports from Japan. It followed an agreement with the Philippines by which the U.S. will collect a 19% tariff rate on imports from there. While the increasing imposition of tariffs around the world poses risks to global economic growth and oil demand, the recent U.S.-Japan deal helped ease investor concerns and supported oil prices. Saudi Arabia's benchmark index gained 0.5%, supported by energy stocks benefiting from stabilised oil prices. Oil behemoth Saudi Aramco advanced 0.7%. Elsewhere, Arab National Bank rose more than 2% after posting strong second-quarter results. The Abu Dhabi index jumped 0.9%, driven by robust earnings. First Abu Dhabi Bank, the UAE's largest lender, surged over 4% after beating second-quarter profit estimates on strong revenue growth, while Bank of Sharjah soared nearly 8%. Among other gainers, Space42 advanced around 2% after securing a $695.5 million facility to fund next-generation UAE satellites. Dubai's main share index added 0.3%, on course to snap a three-day losing streak, with nearly all sectors in positive territory as upbeat earnings lifted sentiment across the United Arab Emirates. Index heavyweight Salik climbed 1.5%. Qatar stock index edged up 0.2%, continuing to hover near a two-and-a-half-year high. (Reporting by Amna Mariyam and Ateeq Shariff in Bengaluru, editing by Ed Osmond)
Zawya
2 hours ago
- Zawya
Oman: 300 non-compliant businesses caught in e-payment inspection drive in Seeb
Muscat – As part of ongoing efforts to uphold market regulations and safeguard consumer rights, the Inspection Department at the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion carried out a large-scale inspection campaign in the Mabelah Industrial Area in the wilayat of Seeb. The campaign focused on ensuring compliance with mandatory electronic payment service requirements, in line with national directives to modernise commercial transactions and improve consumer convenience. Authorities confirmed the seizure of 300 commercial establishments found to be non-compliant, primarily for failing to provide electronic point-of-sale (POS) systems. Legal action has been initiated against the violators in accordance with applicable regulations. The Inspection Department reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening regulatory oversight and urged all businesses to comply with the e-payment mandate, which enhances transparency, reduces cash handling, and supports the sultanate's move toward a more digitally integrated economy. Regular inspection campaigns will continue across various governorates to ensure full adherence and protect consumer interests. © Apex Press and Publishing Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
