RIYADH: Saudi Arabia welcomed approximately 123 million domestic and international tourists in 2025, marking a 6 percent increase compared with the previous year, according to the Ministry of Tourism’s **2025 Annual Statistical Report.

The report revealed that total tourism spending reached a record SR304 billion, reflecting 7 percent growth over 2024 and highlighting the continued expansion of the Kingdom’s tourism sector under the National Tourism Strategy and Vision 2030.

Tourism Minister Ahmed Al-Khateeb said the sector’s strong performance reflects the continued support of the Kingdom’s leadership, which has positioned tourism as a major contributor to economic diversification and national development.

He noted that the record spending demonstrates tourism’s growing role as a key economic driver while also generating wider social benefits through employment opportunities, community development, and improvements in quality of life.

According to the report, tourism contributed 4.9 percent of Saudi Arabia’s GDP in 2024, with its economic contribution increasing by 14 percent compared with the previous year. In 2025, the travel account recorded a SR49.4 billion surplus, accounting for more than 61 percent of total services exports.

The report also highlighted the composition of visitor demand. During 2025, the Kingdom received 29.3 million international tourists, whose spending reached SR176.6 billion, while 93.3 million domestic tourists generated approximately SR127.1 billion in tourism expenditure.

Non-religious travel continued to gain momentum, accounting for around 52 percent of inbound overnight visits in 2025, compared with 44 percent in 2019, indicating a broader diversification of Saudi Arabia’s tourism offerings.

Employment in tourism-related industries reached nearly 1.03 million jobs during the year. Saudi women represented approximately 47 percent of Saudi nationals employed in tourism activities, a significant increase from 5 percent at the end of 2018, reflecting the sector’s expanding role in creating opportunities and empowering national talent.

The Ministry of Tourism encouraged investors, researchers, and industry stakeholders to review the complete 2025 Annual Statistical Report through its official website for further insights into the Kingdom’s tourism performance.