Saudi Arabia Records 122.6 Million Tourist Arrivals in 2025, Spending Hits SAR 303.7 Billion
On 20 June 2026, Saudi Arabia’s tourism ministry released its 2025 statistical report, revealing a landmark year for the kingdom’s travel sector. The country welcomed 122.6 million tourists—a 5.8 % increase from 2024—and generated SAR 303.7 billion in tourism spending, up 7.0 % year‑on‑year.
The total figure blends inbound visitors from abroad and domestic travelers. Inbound arrivals numbered 29.3 million, a modest 1.6 % dip compared with 2024, yet their spending rose 4.8 % to SAR 176.6 billion. Domestic tourism outpaced the international trend, with 93.3 million visitors—a 8.3 % jump—and spending of SAR 127.1 billion, up 10.2 %. The data confirm that domestic tourists now outnumber foreign visitors, while the latter still command a larger share of overall revenue.
Accommodation activity mirrored the broader growth. Licensed rooms climbed to 597,000, a 25.4 % jump, though the average daily rate fell 2.0 %. The hospitality sector expanded in both the number of licensed facilities and rooms, yet revenue per available room dipped slightly, reflecting a wider mix of lodging options.
Egypt emerged as the top source market, supplying 3.2 million inbound tourists, followed by Pakistan with 2.8 million. Pakistan’s visitors were the highest‑spending group, generating SAR 22 billion. Other notable markets included China, the United Kingdom, and the United States, each contributing millions of arrivals.
Domestic patterns reveal that 73 % of overnight visitors travel for visits to friends and relatives or for leisure and holidays. Spending on religious tourism—largely pilgrimages to Mecca and Medina—rose 32 % in 2025, underscoring the continued importance of the Hajj and Umrah seasons.
Lodging preferences diverge between domestic and inbound travelers. Private residences dominate for domestic tourists, whereas hotels remain the top choice for inbound visitors, who also spend more per stay.
Key domestic destinations reflected these trends. Mecca attracted the most overnight visitors, while Riyadh recorded the highest total spending by domestic tourists.
From an economic perspective, tourism’s share of Saudi Arabia’s gross domestic product reached 5.2 % in 2025, up 0.3 % from 2024. Employment in the sector grew by 6.2 %, signalling a broader expansion of the tourism economy.
These figures are part of the Vision 2030 strategy, which seeks to diversify the Saudi economy away from oil. The tourism sector is a central pillar of that plan, and the 2025 results suggest that the kingdom is moving closer to its targets for visitor numbers and revenue.
The ministry’s report also highlighted the continued growth of licensed hospitality facilities and the expansion of the hotel pipeline, supporting the kingdom’s ambition to host major international events such as Expo 2030 and the 2034 FIFA World Cup.
Overall, the 2025 data show a resilient tourism industry that has recovered from the pandemic slump, driven by both domestic demand and a steady stream of international visitors. The modest decline in inbound arrivals is offset by higher spending, while domestic tourism continues to expand at a healthy pace.
The ministry will publish its next annual report in 2026, which will indicate whether the upward trend in visitor numbers and spending continues as the kingdom pursues its long‑term diversification goals.
