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The ministry’s Annual Statistical Report, highlighted in a late June 2026 periodical briefing by the Saudi Press Agency, detailed the combined inbound and domestic tourism figures that drove the record performance. Domestic tourism accounted for a substantial share of the spending and visits, contributing to the overall expansion of the sector. The growth comes as Saudi Arabia advances its Vision 2030 initiative to develop tourism as a major non-oil revenue source, according to the ministry.
Despite a slowdown in the first five months of 2026, when the sector contracted by 5 to 6 percent year-on-year due to regional conflict, religious tourism helped mitigate the effects, Tourism Minister Ahmed Al-Khateeb told a summit, as reported by Reuters. The briefing focused on the strong 2025 results while noting the kingdom’s improved standing in international assessments. Saudi Arabia rose to third place globally for international tourist arrivals with a 61 percent increase compared to 2019, a UN Tourism report found.
The report also indicated significant job creation linked to the tourism boom, with more than 38,700 new positions added in the first quarter of 2026. This employment growth aligns with national efforts to empower citizens in the hospitality industry and related fields. Additionally, the travel surplus increased by 11.7 percent to SR26.8 billion during the same period, according to official economic indicators.
Officials attributed the 2025 achievements to enhanced infrastructure, simplified visa regimes and the launch of new attractions across the kingdom. These developments have broadened appeal to both leisure and business travelers from around the world. The ministry’s data places the total visitor count at approximately 123 million for the year.
Further details from the statistical report revealed strong performance in key segments, including a rise in overnight stays and higher per-visitor expenditure. Such metrics provide a comprehensive view of the sector’s contribution to gross domestic product, which has steadily increased in recent years. Planners are using these insights to refine strategies for sustained expansion through the end of the decade.
The global ranking surge reflects Saudi Arabia’s effective marketing and investment in tourism projects valued at hundreds of billions of riyals. Projects under the Vision 2030 umbrella continue to come online, adding capacity and diversity to the visitor offerings. The briefing served to update stakeholders on progress amid evolving regional dynamics.
