Saudi Arabia Tourism Set to Nearly Double by 2030

Saudi Arabia is transforming into one of the world's fastest-growing vacation destinations, with visitor numbers expected to nearly double in just five years.

The Kingdom's international leisure tourism is projected to surge 93% between 2025 and 2030, according to Tourism Economics. That's more than three times the 30% global average and well ahead of the 64% expected across the Middle East.

The growth is already underway. International travel to Saudi Arabia jumped 67% between 2019 and 2025, while the rest of the world grew by just 5%.

Saudi Arabia generated three-quarters of all new international travel in the Middle East during that period. The country now accounts for about 15% of global travel growth, a remarkable achievement for a destination that only opened to leisure tourists in 2019.

Nature and adventure are drawing visitors from unexpected places. More than half of surveyed Chinese travel agents now sell Saudi Arabia trips, with 54% highlighting the Kingdom's natural scenery as a major attraction. Adventure activities and cultural experiences are close behind in popularity.

The tourism boom is reshaping the country's economy. Leisure travel spending jumped from just 9% of international visitor spending in 2019 to 28% in 2025. By 2030, it's expected to reach nearly one-third of all visitor spending.

Hotels in Riyadh are gearing up for the surge, with revenue per room forecast to grow 18.6% in 2027 as business demand outpaces new supply. Jeddah is seeing similar momentum, boosted by both vacation travelers and religious pilgrims.

The Ripple Effect

The tourism transformation is creating opportunities throughout Saudi Arabia's economy. High-value travelers, particularly from China's luxury market, represent a growing segment that benefits hotels, restaurants, tour operators, and local communities.

The expansion supports Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 goal of diversifying beyond oil revenue. Tourism is targeted to contribute 10% of the country's GDP by decade's end, with 150 million annual visitors expected.

Dave Goodger of Tourism Economics notes this is "no longer a purely regional story but a powerful, export-driven tourism engine built on sustained investment and destination development."

The first WTM Spotlight Riyadh tourism conference brought together global travel buyers and Saudi destinations in September 2026, strengthening connections that will help spread these economic benefits across the Kingdom.

Saudi Arabia's rapid rise shows how strategic investment in tourism infrastructure and opening to the world can transform a country's economic future in less than a decade.