According to a report by the news website Bululop, the gross domestic product (GDP) of Saudi Arabia’s travel and tourism sector reached $178 billion in 2025, growing by 7.4 percent. This accounts for 46 percent of the total tourism economy in the Middle East, making Saudi Arabia the largest tourism market in the region.
According to the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), Saudi Arabia’s travel and tourism sector is growing at a rate nearly twice the global average of 4.1 percent and has outperformed many countries in the region.
The report states that spending by international tourists in Saudi Arabia increased by 8.2 percent in 2025, surpassing the global average of 3.2 percent. This indicates growing international demand for travel to the country.
Data from Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Tourism also shows an upward trend in domestic tourism. In the first quarter of 2026, the country hosted 28.9 million domestic tourists, representing a 16 percent increase compared to the same period last year. Spending in this sector reached 34.7 billion Saudi riyals, equivalent to $9.2 billion.
Regionally, other countries have also recorded significant growth in tourism. For example, the GDP of the travel and tourism sector in the United Arab Emirates reached $68.5 billion in 2025, and international tourist spending in the UAE was reported at $56.9 billion.
Gloria Guevara, President and CEO of the World Travel & Tourism Council, stated that the Middle East experienced significant growth in the tourism industry in 2025, with Saudi Arabia playing a central role in this trend. She emphasized that the country’s growth rate was nearly double the global average.
She also added that the performance of the Middle East in tourism highlights the long-term potential of the industry for economic growth, job creation, and strengthening international connections in the region.
In recent years, Saudi Arabia has launched projects such as Qiddiya and NEOM to create new tourism attractions and destinations. The goal of these projects is to diversify the economy and reduce reliance on oil revenues.
Writer:Salima Aryaei
