Saudi Arabia Welcomes Record One Hundred Twenty-Two Million Visitors in 2025 as Tourism Sector Accelerates
Preliminary figures show continued rapid growth in domestic and inbound tourism, driving spending and supporting Vision 2030 goals
Saudi Arabia is on track for a landmark year in tourism in 2025, with preliminary data indicating that about one hundred twenty-two million people visited the Kingdom, reflecting sustained growth in both domestic travel and international arrivals.
The figure, highlighted at this year’s World Economic Forum and by tourism analysts, represents a roughly five per cent increase compared with 2024 and underscores the sector’s central role in diversifying the Saudi economy under Vision 2030. Analysts said this robust performance reflects not only continued expansion of hospitality infrastructure and enhanced world-class attractions but also ongoing visa reforms and international marketing initiatives aimed at simplifying travel to the Kingdom.
Saudi authorities said total visitor spending exceeded eighty billion dollars in 2025, driven by strong demand for cultural, leisure and business tourism alongside religious travel.
The Riyadh region alone welcomed more than fifteen million visitors by the end of the third quarter, and major events such as Riyadh Season 2025 drew millions of additional attendees, contributing to elevated occupancy rates across hotel segments and related services.
Tourism policy emphasises broader accessibility for travellers from Europe, East Asia and the Pacific, which grew by double-digit percentages in 2025, reflecting targeted efforts to attract a wider range of visitor segments.
The sustained expansion follows the Kingdom’s surpassing of its one hundred million visitor target years ahead of schedule and builds on record results in 2024, when about one hundred sixteen million tourists visited Saudi Arabia and domestic and inbound spending rose significantly.
Government officials said the latest milestone advances national objectives to make tourism a major engine of growth, create employment and support investment in hospitality, transport and entertainment infrastructure.
The achievement positions the Kingdom as one of the world’s fastest-growing tourism markets as it continues toward its goal of welcoming one hundred fifty million visitors annually by the end of the decade.
The figure, highlighted at this year’s World Economic Forum and by tourism analysts, represents a roughly five per cent increase compared with 2024 and underscores the sector’s central role in diversifying the Saudi economy under Vision 2030. Analysts said this robust performance reflects not only continued expansion of hospitality infrastructure and enhanced world-class attractions but also ongoing visa reforms and international marketing initiatives aimed at simplifying travel to the Kingdom.
Saudi authorities said total visitor spending exceeded eighty billion dollars in 2025, driven by strong demand for cultural, leisure and business tourism alongside religious travel.
The Riyadh region alone welcomed more than fifteen million visitors by the end of the third quarter, and major events such as Riyadh Season 2025 drew millions of additional attendees, contributing to elevated occupancy rates across hotel segments and related services.
Tourism policy emphasises broader accessibility for travellers from Europe, East Asia and the Pacific, which grew by double-digit percentages in 2025, reflecting targeted efforts to attract a wider range of visitor segments.
The sustained expansion follows the Kingdom’s surpassing of its one hundred million visitor target years ahead of schedule and builds on record results in 2024, when about one hundred sixteen million tourists visited Saudi Arabia and domestic and inbound spending rose significantly.
Government officials said the latest milestone advances national objectives to make tourism a major engine of growth, create employment and support investment in hospitality, transport and entertainment infrastructure.
The achievement positions the Kingdom as one of the world’s fastest-growing tourism markets as it continues toward its goal of welcoming one hundred fifty million visitors annually by the end of the decade.
