Saudi Arabia Leads Middle East Tourism Recovery and Airline Punctuality in 2026

A World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) report says Saudi Arabia is the top driver of tourism recovery in the Middle East despite ongoing geopolitical tensions. Tourism, travel and related sectors account for about 14.1% of the kingdom’s GDP, and visitor spending is projected to rise steadily over the next decade, supported by long‑term infrastructure and diversification investments.

In July 2026 Saudi Arabian Airlines ranked first worldwide for on‑time arrivals, achieving an 87.24% punctuality rate across 16,406 flights, according to Cirium. This marks the airline’s third consecutive month at the top of the global ranking and reflects the group’s focus on operational efficiency, AI‑enhanced decision‑making and coordinated government‑industry efforts.

Both achievements underscore Saudi Arabia’s broader strategy to boost non‑oil economic sectors and showcase the resilience of its tourism and aviation industries.