Saudi Arabia has reported a significant surge in international tourism revenue, with foreign visitors spending nearly $13.6 billion in the first three months of 2025.
The Big Numbers: A Strong Start to 2025
During the first quarter of 2025, international visitors injected a remarkable SR49.4 billion (approximately USD 13.16 billion) into Saudi Arabia’s economy. This impressive figure represents a 9.7 percent increase when compared to the same period in 2024, signaling robust growth in the Kingdom’s tourism sector.
Beyond direct spending, the nation also recorded a substantial travel surplus. The balance of payments showed a surplus of SR26.8 billion (USD 7.14 billion) for the quarter, reflecting an 11.7 percent year-on-year growth. These figures were officially released by the Ministry of Tourism in its May report, based on detailed travel item data.
Driving the Surge: Strategic Investments Pay Off
The Ministry of Tourism attributes this remarkable rise to a series of ongoing strategic initiatives. These efforts are primarily focused on strengthening Saudi Arabia’s tourism infrastructure, actively promoting the Kingdom to international audiences, and continuously enhancing the quality of services and experiences offered to visitors.
Officials have highlighted that these results underscore the effectiveness of the Saudi tourism system. The sector’s expanding role is now a significant driver of economic growth and a key contributor to the national development goals outlined in Saudi Vision 2030.
Paving the Way for Global Tourism Leadership
The positive performance is a clear indicator of Saudi Arabia’s increasing appeal on the global tourism stage. This growth has been achieved through a multi-faceted approach, including implementing international best practices in tourism development, consistently advancing the quality of tourism services and products, and fostering stronger collaboration between government bodies and private sector entities.
As Saudi Arabia continues to press forward with its ambitious Vision 2030 objectives, the tourism sector is rapidly emerging as a vital pillar for economic diversification. It is successfully attracting millions of visitors and generating substantial foreign revenue, helping to reshape the Kingdom’s economic landscape.
- International visitors spent nearly $13.6 billion in Saudi Arabia in Q1 2025.
- This represents a significant 9.7% increase compared to the same period in 2024.
- The growth is attributed to strategic investments in tourism infrastructure, promotion, and service quality.
- Tourism is a key pillar in Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 for economic diversification and growth.
These strong early 2025 results underscore the Kingdom’s commitment to becoming a top global tourism destination and its progress towards achieving ambitious development targets.
