Friday, April 11, 2025
Saudi Arabia Sets the Stage for Global Tourism Dominance with Strong Growth and Major Showcasing at Arabian Travel Market 2025
Saudi Arabia’s travel and tourism sector has reached new heights, welcoming thirty million international travelers in 2024, a notable increase of 9.5 percent from the previous year. This powerful momentum underscores the Kingdom’s emergence as a dynamic force in global tourism and will be prominently featured at Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2025, where Saudi Arabia Poised to reveal a series of groundbreaking tourism achievements and future-focused initiatives, all in line with its ambitious goal of establishing itself as a premier global travel hotspot.
ATM 2025 will witness a robust Saudi delegation, showcasing the depth and breadth of the Kingdom’s tourism portfolio. Leading the charge are key players like the Saudi Tourism Authority, SAUDIA, flynas, Qiddiya Investment Company, and Cruise Saudi. New exhibitors joining the lineup include flyadeal, Riyadh Air, and the Diriyah Company. Saudi Arabia’s footprint at the event has expanded by sixteen percent over last year, reflecting the country’s strategic focus on tourism growth. A dedicated Saudi Land pavilion—a significantly enhanced version of 2024’s Saudi Village—will spotlight the Kingdom’s vibrant culture, hospitality vision, and diversified tourism landscape.
Saudi Arabia’s economic achievements further reinforce its growing role in international travel. As per VIDEC research, the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) soared to USD 1.1 trillion in 2023, with a per capita GDP of USD 32,500, affirming its status as Tourism plays a leading role in steering the Kingdom’s transition away from an oil-dependent economy. This economic strength is bolstered by ongoing diversification initiatives, with the non-oil sector now accounting for 63 percent of GDP, a massive leap from 39 percent in 2000.
Tourism has evolved into a key pillar driving the Kingdom’s ambitious economic diversification agenda. Inbound leisure travel experienced a remarkable upswing in 2023, drawing 6.2 million international visitors, compared to only 1.12 million in 2019. Domestic tourism is thriving as well, with travel within the Kingdom rising from forty-eight million to seventy-eight million trips in just four years. This trend is expected to surge further with enhanced connectivity offered by SAUDIA and the newly launched Riyadh Air. The Total Air Market (TAM) in Saudi Arabia is forecasted to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12.2 percent, reaching USD 11.3 billion by 2028.
In the hospitality arena, Saudi Arabia commands sixty percent of the GCC hotel market in 2024, a share driven by soaring demand from both domestic and international travelers. With more than 40,000 hotel projects underway, amounting to approximately 320,000 new rooms, the Kingdom is investing heavily in creating a robust and world-class accommodation network.
ATM’s Exhibition Director Danielle Curtis noted Saudi Arabia’s transformative impact on regional tourism, highlighting the Kingdom’s steadfast commitment to becoming a premier global travel leader. This commitment will be further reflected in ATM 2025’s Conference Programme, which will explore pivotal topics such as the role of mega-events in tourism development and the importance of local communities in rejuvenating travel destinations.
High-profile panelists like Turky Kari, Executive Director of AROYA Cruises, will join discussions on experiential tourism and cruise expansion, while Abulkarim Aldarwish, President of the Saudi Tourism Authority, is slated to speak on the global impact of business events at the Business Events Stage.
With over fifty-five thousand attendees and 2,800 exhibitors from 161 countries expected, ATM 2025 promises to be one of the most influential events on the global travel calendar.Guided by the theme “Global Travel – Developing Tomorrow’s Tourism Through Enhanced Connectivity,” the event will spotlight how cutting-edge advancements—from growing aviation networks to transformative digital technologies—are reshaping the future landscape of global tourism.
This major event is powered by key partners including Emirates as the Official Airline Partner, and IHG Hotels & Resorts as the Official Hotel Partner. Hosted at the Dubai World Trade Centre, ATM 2025 is poised to amplify Saudi Arabia’s ambitions and further cement its leadership in the international tourism landscape
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