According to travel intelligence company ForwardKeys, the UAE and Saudi Arabia are among the top 10 tourist destinations globally that have experienced the biggest growth in foreign tourists this year compared with 2019.
The research of foreign visitor arrivals by destination nation in 2023—which included forward bookings for the fourth quarter—showed how the tourism industry throughout the world was still recovering from the pandemic.
The top 10 global performers had a notably strong representation from the Middle East and Africa.
According to the ForwardKeys Global Travel Trends report, Saudi Arabia ranked fifth in the world for international arrivals in 2023, reaching pre-Covid levels for incoming tourists and supported by Hajj travelers, tourism industry investments, and economic diversification initiatives.
The monarchy came in after “sun and beach” locations including the Dominican Republic, Greece, Colombia, and Mexico in the top five.
The UAE came in at number eight on the list, with visitor arrivals this year barely 7% below pre-Covid levels. This is mostly due to a surge in visitors from the US and Russia as well as good air connectivity, which has helped attract more Chinese visitors in particular.
Egypt is currently the tenth most popular tourist destination in the world. Estimated foreign arrivals in 2023 will be 10% lower than pre-pandemic levels, in part due to the return of Russian tourists and the country’s renaissance as a must-see historical destination.
Also Read:
Top Weekend Getaways From Dubai
Laughter Is A Powerful Tool For Happiness and Positivity – Anju Shahani
