Saudi Arabia leads G20 countries in tourism growth, according to latest UN Tourism Barometer

Saudi Arabia has emerged as the fastest-growing G20 country in the latest UN World Tourism Barometer report, marking a significant milestone in the Kingdom’s rapid ascent as a global tourism destination. The Barometer highlights a 73% increase in international tourist arrivals to Saudi Arabia in the first seven months of 2024, compared to the same period in 2019, reflecting the success of the Kingdom’s ambitious tourism strategy under Vision 2030.

The UN World Tourism Barometer serves as a global benchmark for measuring tourism sector performance, and its latest report underscores Saudi Arabia’s impressive achievements in both visitor numbers and economic impact. Saudi Arabia’s robust visa facilitation program, including the expansion of its e-visa scheme, has attracted millions of international tourists, further enhancing the Kingdom’s connectivity with the world.

Saudi Arabia’s investment in transformative projects, such as, the Red Sea Project, NEOM and Diriyah, has propelled its tourism growth. The UN World Tourism Barometer underscores the success of these giga-projects, which are reshaping the global tourism landscape and cementing Saudi Arabia’s reputation as a destination of choice for travelers seeking world-class experiences. Vision 2030, Saudi Arabia’s long-term economic diversification plan, has placed tourism at the centre of its strategy, with the Kingdom welcoming 109 million tourists in 2023, setting the stage for achieving its long-term goal of 150 million annual visitors by 2030. Tourism will also represent 10% of the Kingdom’s GDP, with one million new jobs created in the sector, taking the total workforce to 1.6 million.

easyJet and UNICEF launch ‘Every Child Can Fly’ campaign

 easyJet and UNICEF are partnering to support UNICEF’s education programmes and help every child access their right to a quality education 

 ‘Every Child Can Fly’ campaign will support UNICEF's aspiration to achieve the universal right of quality education for all children by 2030

 Customers flying with easyJet over the Easter holiday period have the opportunity to raise funds with easyJet cabin crew collecting donations onboard around 40,000 flights

 To date, through the partnership, easyJet customers have already raised almost £17 million towards UNICEF’s appeals

easyJet and the world’s leading children’s organisation UNICEF have announced the new phase of their partnership to support UNICEF’s goal of ensuring all children at primary and lower secondary levels are enrolled in school by 2030.

easyJet and UNICEF’s ‘Every Child Can Fly’ campaign will raise vital funds to change millions of children’s lives, including contributing to UNICEF's target of providing access to learning opportunities for 114 million children and digital education for 148.6 million children around the world. 

The onboard collection by easyJet’s cabin crew is now running in time for the busy holiday period, which will see the airline fly over five million customers across its network, who will have the opportunity to donate onboard around 40,000 flights towards the ‘Every Child Can Fly’ campaign and support UNICEF’s work in education.

In 2022, 70% of 10-year-olds in low- and middle-income countries could not read and understand simple text. This figure has worsened by 13% since COVID-19 school closures.