Arab News: RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Tourism has released its 2025 annual statistical report, highlighting the sector’s strongest growth indicators and its transformation under the National Tourism Strategy and Vision 2030. 

Tourism Minister Ahmed Al-Khateeb said the report’s record-breaking results and positive indicators would not have been possible without the support of the Kingdom’s leadership and its guidance in developing the tourism sector, transforming it into a key pillar of economic diversification and advancing the goals of Vision 2030. 

He said: “The figures in the 2025 annual statistical report reflect the growing economic impact of the sector, clearly demonstrated by the Kingdom recording its highest-ever total tourism spending, both domestic and international, at approximately SR304 billion ($80 billion) in 2025. This report also highlights the sector’s social impact in terms of employment, destination development, and improved quality of life.” 

The report estimated the total number of domestic and international tourists at approximately 123 million in 2025, representing a growth rate of about 6 percent compared with 2024. 

Total tourism spending, both domestic and international, reached a record high of approximately SR304 billion, registering a growth rate of 7 percent compared with 2024. 

The report highlighted the significant role of the tourism sector in economic activity, noting its direct contribution of 4.9 percent to gross domestic product in 2024, representing growth of approximately 14 percent compared with the previous year. 

The sector’s contribution was also reflected in a travel surplus of SR49.4 billion in the balance of payments during 2025. Travel accounted for more than 61 percent of total exports within the services account. 

The report also provided an overview of the diverse drivers of demand within the Kingdom’s tourism sector. The total number of international tourists reached 29.3 million in 2025, with total tourism expenditure amounting to SR176.6 billion, compared with 93.3 million domestic tourists whose total tourism expenditure reached SR127.1 billion. 

In terms of travel purpose in 2025, overnight stays for non-religious reasons accounted for approximately 52 percent of all inbound visitors, representing more than half of all overnight visitors, compared with 44 percent in 2019.  

The report also indicated that the number of employees in the tourism industry reached approximately 1.03 million in 2025. Saudi women accounted for 47 percent of tourism jobs held by Saudi nationals in 2025, up from just 5 percent in 2018. This reflects the sector’s role in creating employment opportunities and empowering national talent.