Saudi Arabia, Riyadh, Jeddah, Makkah, Madinah and AlUla are attracting increasing global tourism attention as the Kingdom records one of the strongest tourism performances in its history. Official figures released during 2025 show tourism spending reaching a record SAR304 billion, equivalent to approximately US$81 billion, while visitor numbers climbed to around 123 million. The latest results highlight the growing role of tourism within Saudi Arabia’s economy and demonstrate how the Kingdom is expanding its position within the international travel landscape.
The figures reflect continued growth across leisure tourism, business travel, religious tourism and destination development projects taking shape across the country. As global travelers increasingly explore new destinations, Saudi Arabia is becoming a larger part of regional and international tourism itineraries.
Saudi Arabia Records Strong Visitor Growth
Tourism activity continued expanding across the Kingdom during 2025, with visitor numbers reaching approximately 123 million. The increase represents a six percent rise compared with the previous year and reflects continued demand across multiple tourism segments.
Domestic travel remains an important contributor to overall tourism activity, while international arrivals continue growing through improved air connectivity, destination development and expanded tourism offerings. The growth has generated increased activity across hotels, airlines, transportation services, attractions and hospitality businesses throughout the country.
The tourism sector’s expansion aligns with broader efforts to diversify travel experiences available across Saudi Arabia’s regions and cities.
Riyadh Strengthens Its Position as a Tourism and Business Hub
Riyadh continues playing a central role in Saudi Arabia’s tourism growth. As the capital city, Riyadh attracts business travelers, event participants, cultural tourists and leisure visitors through a combination of modern infrastructure and expanding visitor attractions.
The city has become a major destination for conferences, exhibitions, sporting events and entertainment activities. Large-scale developments across Riyadh continue increasing accommodation capacity and tourism offerings while supporting year-round visitor demand.
Its role as a transportation and commercial center also contributes significantly to domestic and international travel flows throughout the Kingdom.
Jeddah Expands Coastal Tourism Appeal
Jeddah remains one of Saudi Arabia’s most important tourism gateways and a major arrival point for international visitors. Located along the Red Sea coast, the city combines cultural heritage, waterfront attractions, shopping districts and hospitality developments.
The city’s tourism profile continues evolving through infrastructure improvements, tourism investment and expanded visitor experiences. Jeddah also serves as a key transit point for religious tourism, supporting travel to Makkah and Madinah while attracting leisure visitors exploring the Red Sea region.
Its growing aviation connectivity further strengthens its importance within Saudi Arabia’s tourism ecosystem.
Religious Tourism Continues Driving Visitor Demand
Makkah and Madinah remain among the Kingdom’s most significant tourism destinations due to their central role in religious travel. Millions of visitors travel to both cities annually, making religious tourism one of the strongest pillars of Saudi Arabia’s visitor economy.
Hotels, transportation providers and tourism services continue supporting large visitor volumes throughout the year. Infrastructure investments aimed at improving accessibility and visitor experiences have contributed to the continued expansion of religious tourism activity.
The segment remains an important contributor to overall visitor numbers while supporting economic activity across multiple sectors.
AlUla and Emerging Destinations Gain International Recognition
Alongside established destinations, emerging tourism locations such as AlUla are attracting increasing international attention. Known for its archaeological sites, desert landscapes and cultural heritage attractions, AlUla has become one of the Kingdom’s flagship tourism developments.
Visitors increasingly include AlUla in broader Saudi Arabia itineraries that combine heritage tourism, nature-based experiences and cultural exploration. Similar developments across the Red Sea region and other parts of the country continue expanding the range of tourism experiences available to travelers.
These projects support efforts to diversify the Kingdom’s tourism portfolio beyond traditional travel segments.
Aviation and Infrastructure Support Tourism Expansion
Tourism growth has been supported by extensive investments in airports, transportation systems, accommodation capacity and visitor services. Saudi Arabia continues expanding air connectivity through new routes, airline partnerships and airport development projects.
Improved accessibility is helping connect travelers with destinations across the Kingdom while supporting tourism growth from international source markets. Aviation remains a critical component of Saudi Arabia’s tourism strategy, enabling easier movement between major cities and emerging destinations.
Infrastructure improvements also support broader tourism development goals by enhancing visitor experiences and increasing destination capacity.
Tourism Spending Reflects Expanding Visitor Economy
The record SAR304 billion in tourism spending demonstrates the growing economic importance of travel within Saudi Arabia. Visitor expenditure supports accommodation providers, restaurants, transportation services, attractions, retail businesses and event operators throughout the country.
The growth in spending reflects increasing visitor activity across multiple tourism categories, including leisure travel, cultural tourism, religious tourism and business events. As tourism continues expanding, the sector is becoming a larger contributor to economic diversification efforts.
Saudi Arabia Strengthens Its Position in Global Tourism
Saudi Arabia’s tourism performance in 2025 highlights the rapid expansion of a sector that is becoming increasingly important within both regional and global travel markets. With 123 million visitors and record tourism spending of SAR304 billion, the Kingdom continues strengthening its position as a major destination for international and domestic travelers.
From Riyadh’s business and entertainment attractions to Jeddah’s coastal experiences, Makkah and Madinah’s religious significance and AlUla’s cultural heritage offerings, Saudi Arabia now presents a broader tourism landscape than ever before. As investments continue and visitor demand remains strong, the Kingdom is expanding its influence within the global tourism industry while creating new opportunities for travelers exploring the Middle East.
