Saudi Arabia, Dubai, Doha and Muscat are expanding the Middle East tourism map as Gulf destinations increase visitor numbers, develop new attractions and strengthen international travel access. Saudi Arabia recorded around 123 million domestic and inbound tourists in 2025, up about 6% from 2024, while total tourism spending reached approximately SAR304 billion. Dubai welcomed 19.59 million international overnight visitors during 2025, and Qatar recorded 5.1 million international visitors.
Saudi Arabia Moves Tourism Into A Larger National Network
Saudi Arabia’s tourism expansion now covers major cities, archaeological destinations, mountain regions, desert landscapes and Red Sea resorts. The Kingdom’s 2025 tourism statistics recorded 29.3 million inbound tourists and 93.3 million domestic tourists, with inbound tourism spending reaching SAR176.6 billion and domestic tourism spending reaching SAR127.1 billion.
The country has also raised its long-term tourism ambition. Saudi Arabia achieved its earlier target of 100 million visitors ahead of schedule and has established a new ambition of 150 million visitors by 2030. The Vision 2030 programme identifies AlUla, Diriyah, Aseer and the Red Sea coast among the destinations being developed for international and domestic visitors.
This expanding network gives travellers different ways to experience the Kingdom. Riyadh combines modern attractions, museums, entertainment and heritage sites, while Jeddah offers Red Sea waterfront experiences, historic Al-Balad and access to coastal destinations. AlUla provides archaeological landscapes, ancient Nabataean heritage and desert scenery, while Aseer adds mountain landscapes, cooler highland conditions and traditional villages.
Riyadh Expands Its Role In Tourism
Riyadh remains a major entry point for visitors exploring Saudi Arabia and is also becoming an important destination in its own right. The capital combines historic districts such as Diriyah with modern entertainment, shopping, dining and cultural attractions.
The development of new museums, entertainment venues and major events is adding more reasons for visitors to stay within the capital. The 2025 Vision 2030 annual report also identifies international conferences and global events as important tourism drivers, with Expo 2030 Riyadh expected to further expand international visitation.
For travellers, Riyadh can serve as the starting point for itineraries extending towards AlUla, the Red Sea coast, Aseer and other regions.
AlUla Connects Heritage With Desert Travel
AlUla has become one of Saudi Arabia’s most prominent international tourism destinations. The region combines ancient archaeological sites, rock formations, oasis landscapes and contemporary visitor facilities.
Hegra, the first Saudi site inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, provides access to Nabataean tombs carved into sandstone formations. Visitors can also explore AlUla Old Town, Elephant Rock and surrounding desert landscapes.
The destination forms part of Saudi Arabia’s broader heritage tourism strategy and provides a distinct alternative to the Kingdom’s major urban centres.
Dubai Maintains Gulf Tourism Momentum
Dubai continues to anchor the Gulf’s international tourism network. The emirate welcomed 19.59 million international overnight visitors in 2025, an increase of 5% from 2024, according to Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism.
The destination combines high-rise city experiences with beaches, shopping, entertainment, gastronomy and desert tourism. Dubai International Airport provides extensive connections with Asia, Europe, Africa and the Americas, allowing the city to function as both a destination and a regional gateway.
Travellers can also combine Dubai with Abu Dhabi, where museums, cultural attractions, beaches and major entertainment destinations broaden the UAE itinerary.
Qatar Builds A Year-Round Tourism Calendar
Doha is another major Gulf destination expanding through events, cultural attractions, hospitality and business tourism. Qatar welcomed 5.1 million international visitors in 2025, an increase of 3.7% year on year. The country recorded more than 10.8 million room nights sold, up 8.6%, while accommodation revenue reached QAR8.3 billion.
Qatar’s 2025 events calendar included more than 600 events, while the MICE sector welcomed more than one million international business visitors. Doha was also designated GCC Tourism Capital for 2026.
Visitors can combine the capital’s museums, Souq Waqif, Msheireb Downtown and waterfront attractions with desert excursions, beaches and cultural experiences.
Oman Adds Mountains, Coast And Heritage
Muscat and Oman provide another dimension to Gulf tourism through mountain landscapes, desert environments, forts and coastal travel. Travellers can combine Muscat with Nizwa, Jebel Akhdar, Wahiba Sands and Salalah, depending on the season and itinerary.
Oman’s tourism offer also complements neighbouring Gulf destinations because visitors can build multi-country journeys linking the UAE, Oman, Qatar and Saudi Arabia through regional flights.
Saudi Arabia Simplifies Access For More Travellers
Saudi Arabia introduced a Package Visa pilot in July 2026, allowing eligible visitors in selected pilot markets to obtain tourist visas through approved travel and tourism service providers as part of travel packages. The initiative adds to existing e-Visa, visa-on-arrival and Stopover Transit Visa options.
The Kingdom recorded approximately 30 million inbound tourists in 2025, according to the Ministry of Tourism.
For travellers, the wider range of entry options supports the development of packaged holidays combining cities, heritage sites, resorts and events.
Domestic Travel Adds Another Growth Layer
Saudi Arabia’s tourism expansion is not limited to international arrivals. Preliminary Ministry of Tourism data showed 28.9 million domestic tourists during the first quarter of 2026, an increase of 16% from the same period in 2025. Domestic tourism spending reached SAR34.7 billion, up 8%.
Madinah recorded the highest accommodation occupancy among Saudi destinations during the quarter at 82%, followed by Makkah at 60% and Jeddah at 59%.
Key Stats
• Saudi Arabia tourism visitors in 2025: 123 million
• Saudi inbound tourists in 2025: 29.3 million
• Saudi tourism spending in 2025: SAR304 billion
• Saudi domestic tourists in Q1 2026: 28.9 million
• Dubai international overnight visitors in 2025: 19.59 million
• Qatar international visitors in 2025: 5.1 million
• Qatar room nights sold in 2025: more than 10.8 million
Travel Details For The Gulf
King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, Dubai International Airport, Hamad International Airport in Doha and Muscat International Airport provide major gateways into the Gulf. Saudi Arabia uses the Saudi riyal, the UAE uses the dirham, Qatar uses the Qatari riyal and Oman uses the Omani rial.
Travellers can combine urban tourism with heritage, desert, mountain and coastal experiences. Regional flights provide connections between major Gulf cities, while organised tours and road transport serve destinations outside the main metropolitan areas.
Conclusion
Saudi Arabia is expanding the Middle East tourism landscape alongside Dubai, Qatar and Oman through new destinations, major events, heritage attractions, luxury hospitality, adventure experiences and stronger visitor access. Saudi Arabia’s 123 million tourists in 2025 and the wider Gulf’s growing visitor numbers demonstrate how cities such as Riyadh, Dubai and Doha are increasingly connected with archaeological, coastal, desert and mountain destinations across the region.
