Madinah Welcomes Over 14 Million Visitors in 2023, Marking Historic Leap

    Madinah, October 21, 2024, SPA -- The Madinah Region Development Authority announced that the number of visitors to Madinah in 2023 exceeded 14 million, a 124% increase compared to 2014. The historic leap reflects the growth of the city as a key religious and tourist destination in Saudi Arabia.
   According to the statistics, visitor numbers have shown steady growth over the past decade. In 2014, Madinah welcomed 6.3 million visitors, a number that remained constant in 2015. By 2016, the figure rose to 6.5 million, and by 2017, it reached 7.5 million. The numbers continued to rise, with 8 million visitors in 2018 and 9.8 million in 2019.  However, the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021 led to restrictions on travel, temporarily affecting tourism.
   The recovery began in 2022, with over 8 million visitors returning to Madinah. By 2023, the city experienced an unprecedented surge, with 14.1 million visitors flocking to its religious and historical sites. The sharp increase was also reflected in visitor spending, which surpassed SAR 49 billion last year.
   The average visitor stay in Madinah increased to 10 days, underscoring its appeal as a major destination for religious tourism. Key attractions include the Prophet's Mosque and significant historical sites such as the Quba Mosque and Mount Uhud, which are integral to the life of the Prophet Mohammed, Peace Be Upon Him.
   The authority emphasized its commitment to further developing tourism in Madinah, in coordination with partners, by preparing over 100 additional sites to enhance the experience for pilgrims and visitors. Such efforts align with Saudi Vision 2030's Pilgrim Experience Program, which aims to enrich the spiritual and cultural journey of visitors to the holy city.
   -- SPA