A new report from market research firm YouGov has shown that international tourists are gaining interest in visiting Saudi Arabia following the kingdom’s decision last year to begin offering tourist visas en mass and the country’s efforts to promote itself as an emerging tourism destination.
The YouGov data revealed that about one out of every five people surveyed in the US, China, and Europe are more likely to visit Saudi Arabia now than five years ago. Of the nationalities surveyed, Italians were the most likely to visit the Kingdom at 35%, while Brits and Americans were 15% and 14% more likely today, respectively.
The Spanish and Chinese also topped the list of more likely than five years ago at 23% and 22%, respectively, while Germans and French both clocked in at a close 19% more likely.
According to the Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage, the most international tourism arrivals during the available reporting period (27 September through 21 December) for 2019 came from China (22%), Malaysia (15%), the UK (13%), the US (8%), and Canada (4$).
Regarding the kingdom’s recent opening to international tourists, H.E. Ahmad bin Aqil Al Khatib, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage, remarked, “Saudi Arabia opening its doors to the world. We are welcoming more visitors and investors than ever before. To those thinking of visiting Saudi Arabia in 2020, you won’t find a warmer welcome anywhere in the world.”
