Visitors to Saudi
Record-breaking 122 million in 2025
Thriving Economy pillar4 sourcesLast verified 2026-05-16
Hero metric
Total visitors (domestic + inbound)
122M
2025 (preliminary, MoT)Original 100M target met in 2023 (six years early). Revised to 150M by 2030 — 70M international + 80M domestic.
Publishers include: Ministry of Tourism · Arab News · Skift · UNWTO
Trend over time · 8 data points
2017 → 2025
Hover any point for the period, value, and primary publisher.
The Story
Before
Before 2019, Saudi Arabia was effectively closed to leisure tourism. Travel was driven by religious pilgrimage (Hajj and Umrah) and business. Saudis themselves spent most of their leisure budgets abroad.
Initiative
Tourist visas (2019), e-visa for ~50 nationalities, visa-on-arrival, new flagship destinations (Red Sea, AlUla, Diriyah, NEOM), Riyadh & Jeddah Seasons, and large-scale hotel and airport investment.
Outcome
Saudi Arabia welcomed 122 million visitors in 2025 — a 5% jump on 2024 — and SAR 300 billion ($81B) in tourism spending. The Kingdom blew past its original 100M target in 2023 and is now aiming for 150M annual visitors by 2030.
For citizens
Hospitality, events, transport, and retail jobs are everywhere. Saudis can now visit AlUla, the Red Sea coast, Diriyah and other destinations as locals — many for the first time. Tourism is now a credible career path for Saudis, not just a sector for foreign workers.
Supporting metrics
Inbound visitors 2024
29.7M
2024 (+8% YoY)
Total tourism investment commitments
>$400B
cumulative to 2025
European visitor growth
+14%
9M 2025
East Asia/Pacific visitor growth
+15%
9M 2025
2017 visitor baseline
~25 million
pre-Vision 2030 tourist visa baseline
Pandemic low (2020)
~14 million
2020 — full-year (COVID disruption)
Post-COVID rebound
64M → 122M
2022 to 2025 (steepest tourism rebound globally)
Licensed hospitality facilities
5,600+
Q3 2025 (up 40% year-on-year)
Original Vision 2030 target hit
100M reached
2023 — seven years ahead of the 2030 schedule
Tourism GDP — region leadership
~$178 billion
2025 (7.4% growth, ~46% of Middle East tourism economy)
Timeline of Milestones
2019
Tourist e-visa launched; ~17.5M international visitors
2023
Original V2030 target of 100M visitors met 7 years early
2024
116M visitors; revised target of 150M by 2030 confirmed
2025
122M visitors, SAR 300B spending — UNWTO ranks Saudi 1st globally in tourism revenue growth
2026
WEF26 announcement; over 25 new hotels/resorts opening across the year
Evidence library · 4 primary sources
Sorted by tier, newest first
Saudi tourism 2025 preliminary results
Ministry of Tourism (via Minister Al-Khateeb / WEF26)
Saudi Arabia Reports 5% Gain in 2025 Visits, Tops 120 Million
Skift
Saudi Arabia nears 2030 tourism target as visitor numbers hit 122m in 2025
Arab News
Saudi Arabia ranked 1st globally in tourism revenue growth
UNWTO
Background sources · 42 additional
From the editorial source repository
Show 42 more sources
Quality of Life Program
Vision 2030
GEA: More Than 89 Million Visitors to the Kingdom's Entertainment Sector in 2025
Saudi Press Agency
A National Journey Shaped by Opportunity and Enduring Impact
Saudi Vision 2030
AMAALA: The Global Wellness Haven on Saudi Arabia's Red Sea Coast
Red Sea Global
The Red Sea: A Regenerative Tourism Destination
Red Sea Global
Red Sea Global Announces the Opening of AMAALA
Red Sea Global
Red Sea Global Releases Joint Report Urging Innovation for Regenerative Tourism
Saudi Press Agency
Saudi Arabia tops 100 million tourist mark for the second year in a row
Ministry of Tourism
Tourism Ministry: Saudi Arabia tops 100 million visitors for the second year
Saudi Press Agency
AMAALA
Saudi Vision 2030
Tourism sector dashboard
Data Saudi
Saudi Vision 2030: Transforming Tourism for the Future
Visit Saudi
Study in Saudi Arabia portal
Study in Saudi Arabia
Red Sea Global Sustainability Report 2024
Red Sea Global
Vision 2030 Annual Report 2023
Saudi Vision 2030
Ministry of Tourism expands issuance of visas to applicants from eight new countries
Ministry of Tourism
Saudi Arabia Hosts Over 89M Visitors in Its Entertainment Sector in 2025
Arab News
Preparations underway to open branches of prestigious international universities
Saudi Gazette
How Entertainment Is Boosting Saudi Arabia's Next Growth Cycle
Arab News
New higher education facilities improve Saudi Arabia's university competitiveness
Oxford Business Group
Hollywood meets the Middle East as Red Sea International Film Festival opens in Jeddah
Associated Press
After luxury push, Saudi Arabia targets broader tourist market, minister says
Reuters
Saudi Arabia introduces Tourism and Hospitality as core subject for grade 12 students
Times of India
Saudi Arabia surpasses 116m tourists in 2024, exceeds goal for 2nd year
Arab News
Saudi Arabia Surpasses 116M Tourists in 2024
Arab News
Saudi Arabia's Entertainment Sector Attracts 76 Million Visitors
Saudi Gazette
Saudi Arabia banned film for 35 years. The Red Sea festival is just one sign of the industry's rise
Associated Press
Wellness Tourism – A Rising Force in Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030
Arab News
WTTC celebrates Saudi Arabia surpassing 100 million tourists
World Travel & Tourism Council
Absher Platform
Saudipedia
Saudi Arabia was fastest growing G20 economy in 2022, IMF visitors say
Arab News
Saudi Arabia opens to foreign holidaymakers, chases tourism investment
Reuters
Saudi Arabia opens to tourists with investment appeal and no abaya rule
Reuters
Saudi Arabia Health and Wellness Tourism Market
IMARC Group
Saudi Arabia adopts labor localisation requirements for several professions
UNCTAD Investment Policy Monitor
Rethinking Tourism in Saudi Arabia: Royal Vision 2030 Perspective
African Journal of Hospitality, Tourism and Leisure
Saudi tourism GDP reached about $178 billion in 2025, positioning the Kingdom as the region’s largest tourism economy.
Arab News
Saudi venue infrastructure capacity grew 32% in 2025, reaching 300,520 m² across 923 accredited venues — 320% expansion since 2018 — per SCEGA's 2025 Event Infrastructure Snapshot.
SCEGA via Saudi Press Agency
Saudi MICE sector grew from 3,800 to 17,000+ companies since 2018 (+330%), with 90,000+ Saudis trained — SCEGA at International MICE Summit 2025.
Arab News
Saudi MICE market projected to grow from USD 3.22B (2025) to USD 5.65B by 2031 at 9.82% CAGR, driven by Vision 2030 venues, giga-project infrastructure, and expanded air connectivity.
Mordor Intelligence
KSA MICE market valued at USD 2.7B in 2023, driven by Vision 2030 infrastructure investment and the Saudi Arabia Convention Bureau attracting global conferences.
Ken Research
Saudi Arabia emerging as a global sports tourism powerhouse: FIFA World Cup 2034 (15 stadiums across 5 host cities), AFC Asian Cup 2027, Esports World Cup, Formula 1 Saudi GP, Riyadh Marathon — over 300 international sporting events recently hosted.
Travel And Tour World
18 million Umrah pilgrims welcomed from abroad
Up 214% since 2022 — and pilgrim satisfaction at 94%
18.03M
Tourism spending, all-time high
Inbound and domestic tourist spending crossed SAR 300B ($81B) in 2025
SAR 300B
Religious tourism's economic footprint
Hajj and Umrah generate ~$12B/year — about 7% of GDP, ~20% of the non-oil economy
~7% GDP
Hajj 2025 pilgrims hosted
1.67 million pilgrims, from 171 countries
1.67M
Also relevant for
Initiative attribution: Tourism visa, e-visa expansion, Red Sea Global, Diriyah, AlUla, Riyadh & Jeddah Seasons. Citizen benefit category: Economic diversification, jobs, national pride.