RIYADH — Saudi Arabia has launched a Package Visa pilot program through approved travel and tourism service providers in selected markets, making it easier for eligible visitors to obtain a tourist visa as part of a complete travel package.

The initiative is a joint effort by the Ministry of Tourism, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Interior, and the Insurance Authority.

The new Package Visa builds on previous tourism reforms, including the tourist e-Visa, visa on arrival, and the Stopover Transit Visa, offering travelers more convenient ways to visit the Kingdom. These initiatives helped Saudi Arabia welcome more than 29 million international visitors in 2025.

Minister of Tourism Ahmed Al-Khateeb said the Package Visa reflects the Kingdom’s commitment to making travel to Saudi Arabia more accessible and seamless while strengthening partnerships with the tourism sector.

Under the pilot program, eligible travelers can book round-trip flights, accommodation at licensed hospitality facilities, and their electronic tourist visa through qualified travel providers as part of a single integrated package. Providers may also include events, activities, and tourism experiences.

According to the Ministry of Tourism, the initiative is expected to reduce administrative procedures for visitors while enabling travel providers to offer more attractive packages that encourage longer stays and higher visitor spending.

Only travel companies that meet strict eligibility requirements—including digital booking platforms, 24/7 technical support, and customer service centers—will be allowed to participate in the program.

The announcement comes as Saudi Arabia continues to achieve record tourism growth. The 2025 Annual Statistical Report showed the Kingdom welcomed around 123 million domestic and international tourists, a 6% increase compared with 2024.

Total tourism spending reached a record SR304 billion, up 7% year-on-year. International visitors totaled 29.3 million, generating SR176.6 billion in spending, while 93.3 million domestic tourists spent SR127.1 billion.

The report also found that non-religious travel accounted for about 52% of inbound overnight visits in 2025, compared with 44% in 2019.

Employment in Saudi Arabia’s tourism sector reached nearly 1.03 million jobs in 2025. Saudi women represented approximately 47% of Saudi employees in tourism-related activities, a significant increase from 5% at the end of 2018.

Source:Saudi Gazette