123 Million Tourists in 2025, Up 6%

Tourism Continues to Strengthen Its Role in the Economy and Job Creation

Riyadh | BETH | B

Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Tourism has released its 2025 Annual Statistical Report, revealing that the Kingdom recorded its highest-ever tourism spending, reaching SAR 304 billion in domestic and inbound tourism expenditure, up 7% from 2024.

Minister of Tourism Ahmed Al-Khateeb said the results reflect the leadership’s continued support for the sector and its growing role in diversifying the national economy and achieving the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030.

According to the report, the total number of domestic and international tourists reached approximately 123 million in 2025, representing a 6% increase compared to the previous year.

International arrivals totaled 29.3 million visitors, generating SAR 176.6 billion in tourism spending, while domestic tourism recorded 93.3 million travelers, whose spending reached SAR 127.1 billion.

The travel account surplus in the balance of payments reached SAR 49.4 billion, with travel services contributing more than 61% of total services exports.

The report also showed that employment in tourism industries rose to approximately 1.03 million workers, while the share of Saudi women in tourism jobs held by Saudi nationals climbed to 47%, compared with just 5% in 2018.

BETH Analysis | B

The figures suggest that Saudi tourism has moved beyond conventional growth and is gradually becoming one of the Kingdom’s key economic engines.

Notably, growth is no longer driven solely by religious tourism. The report shows that overnight visitors traveling for non-religious purposes now account for more than half of inbound overnight visitors, up from 44% in 2019, indicating a more diversified tourism demand base.

The sector’s impact extends beyond spending, contributing to job creation, women’s empowerment, service-sector activity, and the expansion of the non-oil economy.

At a time when countries compete to attract visitors, Saudi Arabia appears to be building a tourism sector supported by multiple growth drivers rather than relying on a single season or type of traveler.

Based on these indicators, tourism is expected to become one of the main pillars of the Saudi economy in the decades ahead.