Saudi Arabia's tourism sector is experiencing unprecedented growth, with a remarkable 27% rise in tourist arrivals during the first nine months of 2024, compared to a 14% increase in the same period last year, according to Minister of Tourism Ahmed Al Khateeb. Speaking at the 2025 Budget Forum in Riyadh, he highlighted the sector’s progress toward achieving the Vision 2030 goals.

In 2023, international tourist arrivals for leisure surged by an extraordinary 600% compared to 2018. This growth was further complemented by a rise in visitors arriving for religious purposes, encouraged to explore the Kingdom’s natural and archaeological sites beyond traditional pilgrimage destinations.

Expanding Tourism Contributions
The minister noted that rural tourism has also gained traction, with increasing demand across Saudi Arabia’s diverse regions. By the end of 2023, tourism accounted for 5% of the Kingdom’s GDP, with efforts underway to achieve a 10% contribution by 2030.

The sector's economic impact is evident in its SR41 billion ($10.9 billion) surplus in the balance of payments for the first half of 2024, compared to SR48.1 billion ($12.8 billion) for all of 2023. This represents a significant recovery from 2018, when the balance recorded a SR10 billion ($2.7 billion) deficit.

Job Creation and Workforce Development
Employment in the tourism sector has grown significantly, with jobs increasing from 750,000 to 960,000, and localization in the hospitality industry reaching 35%. The Ministry of Tourism, under the leadership of HRH the Crown Prince, is heavily investing in talent development.

The ministry dedicates an annual budget of SR375 million ($100 million) for training and qualifying up to 100,000 Saudis, including over 10,000 opportunities at world-class institutes, preparing them for leadership roles in the industry.