The outstanding achievements by the state of Saudi Arabia can be attributed to the effective enforcement and fulfilment of an entire range of measures aimed at a positive visitor experience.
In a striking exemplar of economic transformation, Saudi Arabia‘s tourism sector delivered robust growth in the third quarter of 2025, while the total revenue achieved year-on-year surged by 18 per cent to approximately $8.8 billion in the Riyadh region alone. The uplift underlines the Kingdom’s accelerating progress in recalibrating its economic landscape under the banner of Vision 2030, moving decisively beyond historic reliance on oil exports.
According to the latest figures from the Saudi Ministry of Tourism, the rise in expenditure on tourism-related activities reflects that this is just the beginning of what is hoped to be an upward trend in tourism investment. The Riyadh area alone has experienced an influx of 15.1 million tourists from around the world during Q3.
The outstanding achievements by the state of Saudi Arabia can be attributed to the effective enforcement and fulfilment of an entire range of measures aimed at a positive visitor experience. One important strategy that the Kingdom has embraced as part of its tourism strategy and goal to attract a whopping 150 million visitors annually by the year 2030 is the National Tourism Strategy.
role in the growth of the industry’s contribution to the GDP. As reported earlier, local tourist spending in the country reached SR 105 billion at the end of the third quarter, growing by 18 percent compared to the same period last year. This is one of the drivers that gives support to the overall growth of the industry.
But beyond raw visitor numbers, the quality and diversity of the tourism proposition have also grown substantially. The Ministry of Tourism pointed to a 34-per-cent year-over-year increase in available tourist accommodation in Riyadh, along with a 44-per-cent rise in registered tour guides-both indicators of a rapidly maturing hospitality ecosystem.
The Saudi economy has relied on oil for decades. But the government-led Vision 2030 strategy initiated by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has tourism as one of its major diversification strategies. Through the development of cultural identity landmarks, entertainment venues, and cultural sites such as AlUla, the Kingdom is taking on a new economic face while enhancing its image globally.
This tourism-oriented strategy coincides with investments in transportation and technology. Increased connectivity, including upgraded airport capacity, easier visa systems, and technology that simplifies travel authorization, makes Saudi Arabia far more welcoming to the international community of tourists. While specific investments in airline and infrastructure for Q3 of 2025 are coming soon, the trend appears to be of very deliberate investments to complement tourism development.
With Saudi Arabia continuing to develop its tourism market, secondary sectors such as the retail sector, food and beverage, transportation, and entertainment sectors are also experiencing robust traffic. This results in the multiplier effect for the Saudi economy, thus contributing positively to job creation and the development of SMEs.
The charm of Saudi tourism is not limited to regional tourists. In addition, tourism inflow from Europe, East Asia, and other international markets has been on the rise, with European visitors up some 14 percent and travellers from East Asia and the Pacific up some 15 percent over the period. These figures reflect a diversifying source market for tourism revenue, reducing reliance on any single demographic and broadening Saudi Arabia’s global reach.
The future will also see a need for continued innovation in order to keep up with the momentum and will need collaboration efforts from both the public and private sectors. Sustainable tourism, cultural heritage, and marketing will be important factors in unlocking further growth in the industry. Additionally, development in local human resources in hospitality and tour services will help in creating wealth for all Saudis.