The UAE and Saudi Arabia are both focused on boosting domestic tourism to increase spending within their countries. The UAE is aiming for a 50-50 split between international and domestic tourism, as domestic tourists are some of the highest spenders in travel. The country launched the UAE Strategy for Domestic Tourism in December 2020, with domestic tourism spending reaching 41 billion Emirati Dirhams. Dubai’s ruler, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, wants to double the amount of domestic tourism spending in the country. The tourism sector overall generated 71.6 billion Emirati Dirhams in 2020, with local visitor spending reaching over 55.5 billion Emirati Dirhams in 2023.
In Saudi Arabia, the goal is also to achieve a 50-50 split between international and domestic tourism. The country is aiming for 150 million visits by 2030, with 70 million of them being international and the rest domestic. Domestic tourists accounted for 75% of visits last year, with international tourists spending more compared to domestic travelers. The Kingdom is making efforts to improve domestic tourism by cooperating with Gulf countries on various initiatives, including a unified visa for the Gulf region. Domestic travel in Saudi Arabia increased during the pandemic and even after the borders reopened.
The UAE and Saudi Arabia view domestic tourism as a way to retain high-spending residents and locals who would have previously traveled overseas. For both countries, domestic tourism is important for boosting the economy and ensuring that money stays within the country. In the UAE, the focus is on pushing domestic tourism to reach a 50-50 split, while Saudi Arabia is seeing a larger domestic tourism market than international. Both countries are working on initiatives to enhance the domestic tourism experience and attract visitors within their borders.
The tourism sectors in both the UAE and Saudi Arabia have seen significant growth in recent years, with domestic and international visitor spending increasing. In the UAE, local visitor spending reached over 55.5 billion Emirati Dirhams, marking a growth of nearly 40% compared to 2019. International visitor spending also increased, surpassing 2019 levels by 12%. Saudi Arabia’s international tourists spent 141.2 billion Saudi Riyals last year, while domestic travelers spent 114.4 billion Saudi Riyals. The countries are looking to capitalize on this growth by focusing on boosting domestic tourism spending.
Both the UAE and Saudi Arabia are working on initiatives to improve the domestic tourism experience, such as enhancing facilities and attractions geared towards local tourists. By increasing domestic tourism spending, these countries aim to boost their tourism sectors, retain high-spending residents, and promote economic growth. With a focus on achieving a 50-50 split between international and domestic tourism, both countries are committed to investing in domestic tourism and ensuring that residents have opportunities to explore their own countries. Through collaborations and initiatives, the UAE and Saudi Arabia are looking to enhance the domestic tourism market and attract visitors from within their borders.
