Saudi Arabia’s tourism sector recorded a historic milestone in 2025, with total spending reaching $81 billion as the Kingdom continued to expand its travel and leisure industry under its long-term economic diversification strategy.
According to the Ministry of Tourism’s annual statistical report, the sector benefited from strong growth in both domestic and international travel, supported by ongoing reforms linked to Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 programme.
The report showed that the Kingdom welcomed around 123 million inbound and domestic tourists in 2025, marking a 6% increase compared with the previous year.
Tourism spending rose by 7% year-on-year, reflecting increased demand across leisure, cultural, and business travel segments.
Officials said the sector’s continued expansion highlights its growing role as a key driver of economic diversification and non-oil growth in the Kingdom.
International arrivals accounted for 29.3 million visitors, generating significant spending, while domestic tourism remained strong with more than 93 million trips recorded across the country.
The report also pointed to structural changes in visitor trends, with non-religious tourism now representing a majority share of inbound travel, reflecting the Kingdom’s investment in entertainment, heritage, and leisure destinations.
Tourism’s contribution to the wider economy has also strengthened, supporting more than one million jobs and increasing participation of women in the workforce, according to the ministry.
Officials said the sector’s performance underscores Saudi Arabia’s efforts to position itself as a global tourism destination while strengthening its economic resilience.
