Saudi Arabia is becoming a popular tourist destination. This change contrasts with its history as a closed, oil-dependent monarchy known for religious pilgrimage. Leisure travelers rarely visited the Kingdom in the past. Now, it ranks among the Top 15 most visited countries in the world.
The Ministry of Tourism reported preliminary data for 2025. Saudi Arabia hosted about 122 million domestic and international visitors. This total includes roughly 29.7 million inbound international tourists and 86.2 million domestic trips. International numbers rose by 8 percent. Domestic trips increased by 5 percent. The sector produced about SR300 billion ($80 billion) in spending. This amount is 6 percent higher than the previous year. Domestic tourism provides the main base, but foreign visitor numbers are rising sharply. This growth shows the results of Vision 2030.
These results follow earlier achievements. The country met its original goal of 100 million annual visitors in 2023. This happened seven years ago. The new goal is 150 million visitors per year by 2030. Officials plan to increase international arrivals to about 70 million.
From Religious Pilgrimage to Diverse Tourist Attractions
Hajj and Umrah pilgrimages to Mecca and Medina defined Saudi tourism in the past. The Kingdom now promotes other tourist attractions. It uses its cultural heritage, natural landscapes, and new developments to draw visitors.
Key tourist attractions include:
AlUla, often called the "Saudi Petra." It contains ancient Nabataean tombs, rock formations like Elephant Rock, and major archaeological sites.
The Red Sea Project. This initiative turns more than 90 islands into a luxury destination. It prioritizes the environment, beaches, and marine life. These projects present Saudi Arabia as a destination for adventure, culture, and history. Visitors can travel there at any time of year.
Ambitious Infrastructure and Soft Power Push
Saudi Arabia began major reforms and investments to aid this growth include easier entry with e-Visas. Citizens of many countries, including the European Union, can get them quickly.
The start of Riyadh Air, a new national airline, is another important project. Commercial passenger flights for the public should start in early 2026 after initial operations. The airline plans to fly to over 100 destinations by 2030.
There are also plans to build 320,000 new hotel rooms by 2030. These will meet the high demand of international visitors.
Moreover, the country hosts international events to improve its global image. These include the 2034 FIFA World Cup and the 2029 Asian Winter Games at Trojena in NEOM.
The NEOM megaproject is the main part of this change. It started in 2017 as a $500 billion region on the Red Sea. The Line sits at the center. This proposed linear city is 170 km long and 200 meters wide. Planners designed it without cars using 100 percent renewable energy. AI manages transport and resources. The full plan is still in development, but engineering and work on sites like Trojena are moving forward. The project represents Saudi Arabia's plan for modern urban living after the oil era.
Challenges and Future
Tourism in Saudi Arabia grows as the country moves away from oil dependency. The nation also seeks to improve its image through soft power. Critics however point at human rights concerns. But recent reforms, such as eased social rules, have led to more openness.
The path is clear. The country is changing from a religious pilgrimage center to a global, yet diversified tourist destination. Saudi Arabia continues to invest and build major projects. Visas are easier to get. The nation will likely attract more visitors. It rises in world rankings. It may enter the Top 7 or even Top 5 tourist destination list by the end of the decade. The Kingdom is one of the fastest-growing tourism markets. It offers a mix of ancient wonders and modern tourist attractions. Saudi Arabia is no longer unknown to travelers who want something different.
