Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – The number of employees in tourism-related activities in Saudi Arabia increased by 5.1 percent in the second quarter of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023, reaching 959,175, according to the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT).
GASTAT’s Tourism Establishments Statistics bulletin for the second quarter of 2024 said that of these employees, Saudi nationals accounted for 25.6 percent (245,905 employees), while non-Saudi employees made up 74.4 percent (713,270 employees).
Male employees dominated the sector, representing 86.6 percent of the workforce (831,076 employees), with women comprising 13.4 percent (128,099 employees).
Despite the growth, the proportion of tourism employees relative to the total workforce in the economy declined slightly, accounting for 5.7 percent in Q2 2024—a decrease of 0.2 percentage points compared to the same quarter last year. Within the private sector, tourism employees represented 8.6 percent, a drop of 0.5 percentage points year-on-year.
Hospitality Sector Performance
Hotel occupancy rates also saw an uptick, with the average room occupancy in hotels reaching 55.4 percent, an increase of 0.5 percentage points from Q2 2023. Occupancy rates for serviced apartments and other hospitality facilities rose by 1.5 percentage points to 52.4 percent.
Average daily room rates showed mixed trends. Hotel room rates slightly decreased by 0.4 percent to SAR 725.5, while serviced apartments and other facilities saw a significant rise, with daily rates increasing by 15.2 percent to SAR 254.3.
The average length of stay also varied. Hotel guests stayed an average of 5.2 nights, marking a 17.6 percent increase compared to Q2 2023. However, the average stay in serviced apartments and other facilities decreased by 10.9 percent, dropping to 2.1 nights.
Comprehensive Data Analysis
The GASTAT report emphasized that these findings are derived from a range of sources, including administrative records, statistical surveys, and secondary data. This comprehensive approach aims to provide detailed insights into the performance and trends of the tourism sector in Saudi Arabia.
The release highlights the continued growth and challenges within the tourism industry as the Kingdom works to strengthen its position as a global tourism destination.
