According to the Ministry of Tourism’s Annual Statistical Report 2025, Saudi Arabia recorded around 123 million domestic and international visitors in 2025, with total tourism spending of SR304 billion (about US$80–81 billion). The figures underline how tourism is becoming one of the Kingdom’s most important non-oil growth engines under Vision 2030.
Record visitor volumes
The Ministry of Tourism‘s Annual Statistical Report 2025 shows total visitors rose by approximately 6 per cent compared with 2024. In 2025, international arrivals reached 29.3 million, while domestic tourism accounted for 93.3 million trips, according to the Ministry of Tourism’s 2025 Annual Statistical Report. In 2025, inbound tourism generated SR176.6 billion in spending, while domestic tourists spent SR127.1 billion.
The mix of demand also matters. In 2025, approximately 52 per cent of inbound overnight visitors came for non‑religious purposes, up from 44 per cent in 2019. The shift signals broader appeal beyond pilgrimage-related travel, which supports a more resilient tourism model.
Economic and labour gains
Tourism’s economic footprint is widening, with official data highlighting record visitor numbers and spending in 2025, although specific figures for its direct percentage contribution to 2024 GDP and the exact year-on-year growth rate are not publicly disclosed in the cited reports.
Jobs are following the money. Tourism-related industries supported more than 1 million jobs in 2025, according to media reports citing the Ministry of Tourism. Recent official and media reports highlight a rising share of women working in Saudi Arabia’s tourism sector, but specific figures such as 47% in 2025 and 5% in 2018 are not publicly verified. That shift gives the sector importance well beyond visitor numbers alone.
Saudi Arabia has spent recent years under Vision 2030 building hotels, destinations, digital services and workforce skills. The latest results suggest those investments are now producing measurable demand and stronger operating momentum. For investors, these figures indicate that Saudi tourism is progressing from policy ambitions to on‑the‑ground execution, supported by substantial visitor volumes, spending and employment.
What comes next for investors
The next phase will centre on capacity, service quality and destination mix. Investors should watch how quickly Saudi Arabia converts this demand into returns across hospitality, transport, entertainment and supporting services. The strongest opportunities are likely to sit where non-religious travel, domestic demand and year-round destination development overlap.
