Saudi Arabia ranks first among Arab nations for inbound visitors in 2022  

The ATM 2023 will host the Saudi Summit which will take place on the global stage and focus on the impact of the Kingdom’s tourism in reshaping regional travel and landscape. (Supplied)
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Updated 24 January 2023
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Saudi Arabia ranks first among Arab nations for inbound visitors in 2022  

CAIRO: Saudi Arabia ranked first among Arab nations for inbound visitors as more than 18 million travelers visited the Kingdom in the first nine months of 2022, according to the UN's World Tourism Organization data.  

The UAE was the second-highest Arab nation with inbound visits reaching 14.8 million, followed by Morocco with 11 million tourists in the first three quarters of 2022. 

In line with Saudi Arabia’s vision to reach 100 million visitors per year by 2030, the Kingdom’s tourism spending skyrocketed to reach $7.2 billion in the first half of last year, according to data released by Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Investment. 

These unprecedented numbers have drawn the attention of travel experts from around the world who are set to place these figures under a microscope during the upcoming Arabian Travel Market 2023 event in May in Dubai.  

The event will host the Saudi Summit which will take place on the global stage and focus on the impact of the Kingdom’s tourism in reshaping regional travel and landscape, the organizer of ATM said in a press release. 

“The ATM 2023 Saudi Summit will offer an ideal forum in which travel professionals and policymakers from across the Middle East and beyond can explore opportunities and challenges within the Kingdom’s ever-growing tourism sector,” ATM Director Danielle Curtis said in a statement.  

The annual event is expected to host some of the leading Saudi companies including Saudi Arabian Airlines, flynas, Makkah Clock Royal Tower, Asma Hospitality Co., Eye of Riyadh, Itrip, Dur Hospitality, Sadana Real Estate Co, and Saudi Amad for Airport Services & Transport Support.  

“From upcoming giga-developments such as NEOM and the Red Sea Project to how the Kingdom’s latest visa reforms are bolstering its travel sector, we expect Saudi Arabia to represent a major drawcard during the upcoming edition of ATM,” Curtis added.  

To be held on May 1 to 4. ATM 2023 will feature over 34,000 participants from more than 150 destinations as attendees will explore challenges and opportunities related to sustainable travel.  

ATM 2023 is held in conjunction with Dubai World Trade Centre and its strategic partners include Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism as the destination partner, Emirates as the official airline partner, and IHG Hotels & Resorts as the official hotel partner. 


Closing Bell: Saudi main market sheds 85 points to finish at 11,098 

Updated 17 February 2026
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Closing Bell: Saudi main market sheds 85 points to finish at 11,098 

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Tadawul All Share Index closed lower in the latest session, falling 85.79 points, or 0.77 percent, to finish at 11,098.06. 

The MSCI Tadawul 30 Index declined 0.63 percent to close at 1,495.23, while the parallel market index Nomu dropped 0.91 percent to 23,548.56.  

Market breadth was firmly negative, with 42 gainers against 218 decliners on the main market. Trading activity saw 226 million shares exchanged, with total turnover reaching SR4.5 billion ($1.19 billion).  

Among the session’s gainers, Tourism Enterprise Co. rose 9.40 percent to SR15.02. SHL Finance Co. advanced 4.51 percent to SR16.00, while Almasar Alshamil for Education Co. gained 3.56 percent to SR23.88.  

Dar Alarkan Real Estate Development Co. added 3.03 percent to SR19.70, and Banque Saudi Fransi climbed 2.61 percent to SR19.30. 

On the losing side, Almasane Alkobra Mining Co. recorded the steepest decline, falling 6.61 percent to SR96.

Al Moammar Information Systems Co. dropped 5.14 percent to SR164.20, while National Company for Learning and Education declined 4.60 percent to SR124.30. Saudi Ceramic Co. slipped 4.14 percent to SR27.30, and Arabian Contracting Services Co. fell 4.12 percent to SR116.50. 

On the announcement front, Saudi Telecom Co. announced the distribution of interim cash dividends for the fourth quarter of 2025 in line with its approved dividend policy.  

The company will distribute SR2.74 billion, equivalent to SR0.55 per share, to shareholders for the quarter.  

The number of shares eligible for dividends stands at approximately 4.99 billion shares. The eligibility date has been set for Feb. 23, with distribution scheduled for March 12.  

The company noted that treasury shares are not entitled to dividends and that payments will be made through Riyad Bank via direct transfer to shareholders’ bank accounts. stc shares last traded at SR44.80, unchanged on the session. 

Separately, National Environmental Recycling Co., known as Tadweer, reported its annual financial results for the year ended Dec. 31, 2025, posting significant growth in revenue and profit.  

Revenue rose 53.5 percent year on year to SR1.24 billion, compared with SR806 million in the previous year. Net profit attributable to shareholders increased 68.4 percent to SR60.9 million, up from SR36.2 million a year earlier, driven by higher sales volumes and operational expansion.

Tadweer shares last traded at SR3.80, up 2.70 percent.