At the 2025 Sports Investment Forum in Riyadh, Deputy Minister of Tourism Princess Haifa Al-Saud shared exciting statistics regarding the booming sports tourism sector in Saudi Arabia. She revealed that sporting events have attracted 14 million tourists in 2024 alone. This generated a total spending of SR22 billion.
Princess Haifa emphasized the growing significance of sports tourism in the Kingdom’s broader tourism strategy. “The opportunities that are opened up by sports tourism and sporting events are limitless,” she stated. She highlighted the potential for future growth in this sector. She also pointed out that Saudi Arabia has become a global destination. It welcomes visitors from over 160 different nationalities who come to the Kingdom to attend various sporting events.
The Deputy Minister stressed the strong global desire to visit Saudi Arabia. This is not only to enjoy the country’s diverse sports events but also to explore its rich culture and heritage. She highlighted that the country’s investment in sports is attracting a diverse range of tourists. This further positions Saudi Arabia as a key player in the global tourism and sports industries.
Princess Haifa also shared a significant development in the tourism sector. She noted that since Saudi Arabia announced it would host the 2034 World Cup, applications for licenses to conduct tourism activities have surged by 390 percent. This surge reflects growing investor confidence and the Kingdom’s determination to become a global hub for sports tourism.
The remarks from Princess Haifa underscore the vital role that sports tourism plays in Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030. This aims to diversify the economy and position the Kingdom as a top destination for international tourism and major sporting events. With the World Cup in 2034 on the horizon, the Kingdom’s tourism and sports industries are poised for even greater growth in the coming years.
