Saudi Arabia forecasts 43% increase in arrivals by 2020. Saudi Arabia forecasts 43% increase in arrivals by 2020.

Data provided by MAS forecasts a 43% increase in the number of inbound tourist arrivals to Saudi Arabia by 2020, Deloitte has revealed at the Vision Conference in Jeddah.

The number of international trips made to Saudi Arabia is estimated to increase from 18 million in 2015 to 25.8 million in 2020, according to figures from MAS (Tourism Research & Information Centre).

Deloitte Hospitality and Leisure Advisory Middle East head of travel Grant Salter said: “The Kingdom already sees strong tourism figures and hotel occupancy rates have historically been relatively high. There are more than 49,000 new hotel rooms under construction or in final planning across the country to meet the demands of this significant increase in tourists.”

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“These figures were prepared before the government’s Vision 2030 announcement in which tourism is planned to play a more meaningful role in the Saudi economy. We believe that with this vision, and improvements to the hospitality and leisure offering throughout the Kingdom – there is a good chance that the projected increases will be met, if not exceeded.”