The Saudi Tourism Authority has endorsed the findings of a study by the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC). The study shows that Saudi Arabia has become the largest tourism market in the Middle East, demonstrating a trend of rapid growth.
Riyadh, Saudi ArabiaMay 9, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has released its latest edition of the 2025 Economic Impact Report (EIR), cementing Saudi Arabia’s leading position as the largest and fastest-growing tourism market in the region.
The report indicates that in 2025, the travel and tourism sector contributed $178 billion to Saudi Arabia’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), accounting for 46% of the region’s total tourism economy. This comprehensive figure reflects both the direct and indirect multiplier effects of the industry, fully illustrating its overall contribution to the Saudi national economy.
Furthermore, the report highlights the sector’s steadily increasing share of the Saudi national economy. By 2025, the industry’s contribution had reached 7.4% of Saudi Arabia’s total GDP. Notably, the growth rate of Saudi Arabia’s tourism sector is nearly double the global average (4.1%). It significantly outpaces other destinations in the region and exceeds the Middle East average growth rate of 5.3%, once again reinforcing its core status as the fastest-growing tourism market in the area.
Alongside impressive international inbound tourism performance, Saudi Arabia’s domestic tourism market also demonstrates strong endogenous momentum. Data from the Saudi Ministry of Tourism shows that in the first quarter of 2026, Saudi Arabia hosted 28.9 million domestic tourists, a year-on-year increase of 16%, with tourism spending reaching 34.7 billion Saudi Riyals.
Nationally, the layout of diversified destinations is continuously improving. AlUla is progressively developing into a cultural hub that blends historical heritage with contemporary creativity; the Red Sea Project is actively promoting regenerative tourism by combining high-end resort experiences with ecological conservation; meanwhile, Six Flags Qiddiya City is reshaping the landscape of entertainment and tourism by creating a large-scale theme park project aimed at families and global visitors.
The thriving tourism sector benefits from Saudi Arabia’s sustained investment in infrastructure, significant improvements in transport connectivity, and the steady advancement of visa facilitation policies. These measures have further lowered the barriers to traveling to Saudi Arabia, making the overall tourism experience more convenient and seamless. As this momentum continues to strengthen, the tourism sector is becoming a vital pillar of Saudi Arabia’s economic diversification strategy, helping to establish the country as one of the world’s most dynamic and attractive year-round tourism destinations.