Saudi Tourism Growth 2025: Record Visitor Numbers, Jobs And GDP Rise Under Vision 2030

The Minister of Tourism Ahmed Al-Khateeb said the Saudi tourism sector recorded strong growth in 2025, with record levels of visitor spending and arrivals. Tourism has become a key engine in the Kingdom’s economic transformation, and its share of gross domestic product has already climbed from 3.5% in 2019 to 5%.

Al-Khateeb added that employment in the tourism sector passed one million jobs, compared with about 750,000 positions earlier. Tourism is described as a major global employer, contributing around 10% of the world economy, and the Kingdom aims to mirror this scale in national development.

Speaking at the Ministerial Panel: "When Government Works for Business" during the Public Investment Fund (PIF) Private Sector Forum, Al-Khateeb linked these gains to Saudi Vision 2030. The national strategy seeks to reduce reliance on traditional activities such as oil, by expanding tourism and related services.

Within this framework, the Saudi tourism sector is targeting a rise in GDP contribution from about SAR300 billion to nearly SAR600 billion. The plan depends on continued job creation, with private companies expected to hire more national talent and strengthen the sector’s long-term stability.

Al-Khateeb explained that the PIF is developing large tourism destinations to attract fresh capital and build core facilities. Projects on the Red Sea coast and at Qiddiya are intended to support new hotels, leisure sites, and tourism experiences, while also opening space for private-sector partnerships.

The minister underlined that local content is central to tourism partnerships between the Ministry of Tourism, the PIF, and other stakeholders. These collaborations are designed to create a steady pipeline of investment opportunities for private firms, which can participate in services, operations, and supply chains across the sector.

Saudi tourism sector financing, incentives and future demand

Al-Khateeb stated that the government, working through the PIF, is improving the tourism business environment with various incentives. Financing from the Tourism Development Fund is available to support projects that align with national plans and help companies expand their tourism activities inside the Kingdom.

He noted that upcoming major events, including international exhibitions and sports competitions, are expected to draw about 150 million visitors. This anticipated demand is seen as an important factor encouraging investors to use current openings in the Saudi tourism sector and support wider economic diversification.

With inputs from SPA