Saudi Arabia’s tourism sector continues to record rapid growth, achieving several major milestones driven by coordinated efforts across government and industry, according to Vice Minister of Tourism Princess Haifa bint Mohammed bin Saud bin Khalid.
Speaking at the Budget Forum 2026, she said spending in the sector reached SR275bn ($73.34bn), while the number of domestic and international tourists surpassed 116m, with the next target set at 150 million.
Saudi tourism sector
She highlighted that the number of European tourists increased by 14 per cent this year, while visitors from East Asia and the Pacific rose by 15 per cent. She emphasised the continued importance of domestic tourists as a key driver of sustainable growth.
By the end of the third quarter of 2025, domestic tourist spending exceeded SR105bn ($28.01bn), marking an 18 per cent increase.
Private hospitality facilities recorded a remarkable 1,250 per cent growth compared to last year, supported by the issuance of more than 31,000 licences for rural inns and hospitality “private homes”.
Princess Haifa stressed that these achievements are not a final destination but part of an ongoing journey toward further annual targets. She also highlighted the Ministry of Tourism’s initiatives to attract both domestic and foreign investment as the sector continues to expand.
