Saudi Arabia led the world in international tourism spending growth during the first quarter of 2025 and ranked third globally in tourist arrival gains, according to the latest UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) data.
The Kingdom recorded a 102 percent surge in international visitor numbers and spending compared to the same period in 2019, significantly outpacing the global average of 3 percent and the Middle East’s 44 percent.
In its latest World Tourism Barometer, the UNWTO confirmed that Saudi Arabia placed first worldwide in tourism receipts growth and third globally in international arrivals. Regionally, the Kingdom ranked second in the Middle East for visitor growth.
According to the Ministry of Tourism, foreign visitor spending in Q1 2025 reached $13.2 billion (SAR 49.4 billion) – an increase of nearly 10 percent over Q1 2024. The Kingdom’s travel account surplus also rose 11.7 percent year-on-year.
Saudi Minister of Tourism Ahmed al-Khateeb welcomed the results, saying they “support the Kingdom’s efforts to boost tourism as part of its Saudi Vision 2030.”
The strong performance reflects the impact of Vision 2030 and the Kingdom’s ambitious giga-projects – including NEOM, AlUla, the Red Sea Project, Amaala, and Sindalah – as well as streamlined visa policies and expanded tourism infrastructure, according to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA).
Religious tourism continues to play a central role, with Mecca and Madinah drawing millions of pilgrims annually.
Mecca alone attracted 9.4 million visitors in 2022.
Meanwhile, heritage destinations like Hegra in AlUla – known for its ancient Nabatean tombs – are expanding Saudi Arabia’s appeal to leisure and cultural tourists.
The ‘Quality of Life’ Program has also contributed to this momentum, with $9.2 billion (SAR 34.6 billion) invested since 2018 in entertainment, festivals, and infrastructure improvements aimed at enhancing the visitor experience.
With this upward trajectory in both receipts and arrivals, Saudi Arabia appears well on track to reach its Vision 2030 goal of 150 million annual visits and establish itself as a leading global tourism destination.
Credit: alarabiya.net
