Saudi tourism spending slumped 61.5 percent in 2020 as pandemic struck

Saudi Arabia issued more than 500,000 tourist visas between September 2019 and the start of the pandemic. (Reuters)
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Updated 07 April 2022
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Saudi tourism spending slumped 61.5 percent in 2020 as pandemic struck

  • 31.7 percent of tourism spending came from abroad in 2020

RIYADH: Tourism spending in Saudi Arabia slumped 61.5 percent to SR63.4 billion ($16.9 billion) in 2020 as the pandemic halted travel within and into the Kingdom.

Tourists from abroad made up 31.7 percent of spending, Al Eqtisadiah reported, citing Saudi Arabian Monetary Authority and Ministry of Tourism data.

Saudi Arabia is investing billions of riyals in developing destinations for residents and foreign visitors, including the Red Sea Project resort, and the cities of NEOM and Al-Ula. The Kingdom issued more than 500,000 tourist visas before the pandemic after offering them for the first time in September 2019.


Closing Bell: Saudi main index closes in green at 10,917 

Updated 19 January 2026
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Closing Bell: Saudi main index closes in green at 10,917 

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Tadawul All Share Index rose on Monday, gaining 4.86 points, or 0.04 percent, to close at 10,917.04. 

The total trading turnover of the benchmark index was SR3.95 billion ($1.05 billion), as 102 of the listed stocks advanced, while 147 retreated. 

The MSCI Tadawul Index increased, up 0.54 points, or 0.04 percent, to close at 1,467.06. 

The Kingdom’s parallel market Nomu lost 85.41 points, or 0.36 percent, to close at 23,357.50. This comes as 19 of the listed stocks advanced, while 46 retreated. 

The best-performing stock was Tourism Enterprise Co., with its share price surging by 10 percent to SR13.53. 

Other top performers included Al Yamamah Steel Industries Co., which saw its share price rise by 8.64 percent to SR39.22, and Anaam International Holding Group, which saw a 4.05 percent increase to SR12.59. 

Alramz Real Estate Co. saw its share price rising by 3.95 percent to close at SR61.85, while Umm Al Qura for Development and Construction Co. closed at SR18.08, marking a 3.67 percent increase in share price. 

On the downside, the worst performer of the day was Saudi Industrial Export Co., whose share price fell by 3.72 percent to SR2.59. 

ACWA Power Co. saw its share price fall 3.54 percent to SR177.20, while Naseej International Trading Co. declined 3.08 percent to SR29.56. 

Moreover, the share price of Rabigh Refining and Petrochemical Co. dropped 2.95 percent to close at SR6.57, while Nice One Beauty Digital Marketing Co. saw its share price dropping 2.65 percent to SR17.97. 

On the announcement front, Alinma Capital has declared a cash dividend distribution totaling SR6.55 million for unitholders of the Alinma Saudi Government Sukuk ETF Fund.  

The dividend, covering the period from July to December, amounts to SR0.162 per unit and represents approximately 1.56 percent of the fund’s net asset value as of Jan. 15.  

Its share price closed at SR10.42 on the main market, marking a 0.1 percent increase. 

Also, Itmam Consultancy Co. has been awarded a significant project by the Digital Government Authority to develop digital investment skills within the public sector.  

The contract, officially granted on Jan. 19, is valued at more than 5 percent of the company’s total 2024 revenue.  

According to a statement, the program aims to equip government employees with the expertise needed to enhance digital government investment efficiency, focusing on software license development aligned with legal and technical standards.  

Its share price remained unchanged on Nomu at SR16.40.