Saudi Tourism Quality Of Life In 2025: A Vision For Economic Sustainability

Saudi Arabia’s tourism sector is reporting sharp gains, with Minister of Tourism Ahmed Al-Khateeb stating that the Kingdom received around 30 million international visitors during 2025. He said this level of arrivals marked record growth compared with earlier years and reflected wider economic ambitions linked to tourism-related projects and employment.

Al-Khateeb made the comments during a dialogue session at the fifth Real Estate Future Forum, which ran from January 26 to 28 in Riyadh. The panel, titled "The Non-Saudi Ownership Law and Its Impact on Tourism and Economic Projects," brought together several ministers to examine links between property regulation and tourism sector performance.

The minister linked the tourism sector results to Saudi Vision 2030, describing a broad shift in how destinations, cities, and major developments are planned. He said the Kingdom is pursuing economic sustainability through tourism and aims to expand job opportunities. He also said quality of life represents a vision, a responsibility, and a message for the Kingdom.

Al-Khateeb underlined the need for urban design that serves both residents and visitors, saying this principle now guides many projects. Diriyah was presented as a key example of this approach. The destination is set to include about 35 hotels, 11 museums, and extensive retail and entertainment options for people who live in the area and those who travel there.

The minister noted that the Kingdom contains nearly 11,000 heritage and cultural locations, with several already listed as World Heritage sites. According to Al-Khateeb, this cultural base strengthens Saudi Arabia’s presence on the global tourism map and supports national sustainable development objectives linked to long-term economic diversification.

By connecting tourism sector growth, new legal frameworks, and large-scale urban projects, the Real Estate Future Forum session highlighted how tourism policy is shaping investment decisions. Al-Khateeb’s comments indicated that heritage preservation, city planning, and visitor services are seen as central to Saudi Arabia’s future economic model.

With inputs from SPA