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2 clusters · 4 sources · 3 days · First seen · Last updated

Categories: BUSINESS

Saudi Arabia tourism boom

Entities: Vision 2030 · Saudi Arabia · Brazil · WTM Spotlight Riyadh · STR

Overview

The OECD’s 2026 Tourism Trends and Policies report showed Saudi Arabia’s international arrivals surged 67 % from 2019 to 2025, reaching about 30 million visitors. The growth was driven by Vision 2030 reforms that eased visa rules, expanded airline capacity and invested in heritage‑site projects, with non‑religious tourism overtaking pilgrimages for the first time.

At the World Travel Market Spotlight Riyadh in July 2026, data from STR indicated an 8 % year‑on‑year rise in Q1 arrivals, bringing the total to 37.2 million and generating 82.7 billion riyals in tourist spending. Domestic tourism grew 16 %. Saudi officials reported almost 123 million combined domestic and international visitors in 2025, surpassing Vision 2030 tourism targets ahead of schedule. Officials highlighted upcoming megaprojects that are expected to sustain this momentum, aiming for 150 million visitors annually by 2030.

Timeline

  1. 1 day ago

    [BUSINESS] 2 sources
    Saudi Arabia tourism growth highlighted at WTM Spotlight Riyadh

    WTM Spotlight Riyadh highlighted Saudi tourism's 8% visitor rise in Q1 2026, 37 million arrivals, megaproject‑driven growth to 2027, and surpassing Vision 2030 targets.

  2. 4 days ago

    [BUSINESS] 2 sources
    Saudi Arabia tops list of fastest-growing tourist destinations worldwide

    OECD data shows Saudi Arabia’s tourist arrivals rose 67% from 2019 to 2025, making it the world’s fastest‑growing destination; Morocco, Egypt and Brazil also saw strong gains.

Sources

expreso.info · oma-oma.fi · shafaq-e.sa · traveltomorrow.com