Domestic tourism spending in Saudi Arabia surges 87% to SAR 81 bln in 2021

Domestic tourism spending in Saudi Arabia rose 87% year-on-year (YoY) to SAR 80.9 billion in 2021, from SAR 43.35 billion in 2020, the Saudi Central Bank’s (SAMA) annual statistical bulletin showed.

Inbound tourism expenditure dropped 27% YoY to SAR 14.72 billion, from SAR 20.10 billion in 2020.

On the other hand, outbound tourism spending increased 135% YoY to SAR 51.55 billion in the 12-month period.

The following is a breakdown of the tourism spending since 2010: 

*SAMA updated data

Domestic tourism trips totaled 63.85 million in 2021, an increase of 52% from 42.11 million in 2020.

 Inbound tourist trips saw a 16% decline YoY to 3.5 million in 2021, from 4.14 million in 2020.

Total nights spent by domestic tourists rose 68% YoY to 384 million in 2021. Meanwhile, total nights spent by inbound tourists in the Kingdom in the same period reached 31.8 million, a drop of 16% YoY.