Saudi Arabia Welcomed 29.3m Foreign Tourists in 2025: OECD

RIYADH: The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development announced its “Tourism Trends and Policies 2026” report, which reflected the rapid growth and notable achievements of the Saudi tourism sector, strengthening Saudi Arabia’s position on the global tourism map and consolidating its presence as one of the fastest-growing tourism destinations in the world. 

The report highlighted that Saudi Arabia achieved the highest growth rate in the number of inbound international tourists between 2019 and 2025 compared with the OECD member countries and partner economies included in the study, recording 67 percent growth, confirming the success of efforts aimed at developing the tourism sector and enhancing its competitiveness globally, Arriyadiyah reported.   

The report showed that the number of tourists arriving from abroad rose from 17.5 million in 2019 to 29.3 million in 2025, an increase of about 11.7 million tourists, exceeding pre-COVID-19 pandemic levels and reflecting the acceleration of the sector’s growth and the recovery of its momentum at a pace exceeding that of many global markets.    

It also indicated that inbound tourism continued to strengthen its economic contribution, as total spending by tourists arriving from abroad reached SR176.6 billion in 2025, recording 5 percent growth compared with 2024, reflecting the sector’s rising economic value and its increased contribution to supporting economic growth and diversifying sources of income.    

For domestic tourism, the report confirmed that the domestic market continued to play its role as a fundamental pillar of the sector’s sustainability and resilience, as the number of domestic tourists reached 93.3 million in 2025, an increase of 8 percent, while their spending rose by 10 percent to SR127.1 billion ($33.91 billion), reflecting growing domestic demand and the expansion of tourism options and products across Saudi Arabia’s various regions.    

The report highlighted the growing economic and social impact of the tourism sector in Saudi Arabia, as tourism’s direct contribution to gross domestic product reached 5.2 percent, according to preliminary estimates for 2026, while the number of direct jobs in the sector exceeded 1 million, and women’s participation reached 47 percent, reflecting the sector’s role in supporting economic development and empowering national talent.