You are viewing 1 of your 2 free articles
CT Insight Report: What’s new in Saudi Arabia?
Kingdom sees 123 million visitors in 2025
Saudi Arabia is the top inbound market for the GCC region, according to the 2026 Connecting Travel Insight Report, with research from travel analytics firms RateHawk and Emerging Travel Group.
The kingdom welcomed a record 123 million tourists in 2025, rising 6% year-on-year. Visitor spending was up 7%, compared to 2024, reachingSR304 billion (US$81.1 billion) according to ministry data. Continued momentum is expected in the tourism sector throughout 2026, as the first quarter of the year generated more than SAR2 billion (US$533 million) in spending.
RELATED:
Four Seasons Red Sea to open ahead of Eid
Saudi tourism spending hits US$22bn in Q1 2026
Saudi Arabia introduces new visa with 180-day stays for UK visitors
After record growth in 2025, Saudi aims to double tourism’s GDP contribution by 2030, supported by the launch of Riyadh Air, which will reach around 100 destinations. The airline recently inaugurated four new routes, including flights to Jeddah, Dubai, Cairo and London, serving as the kingdom’s second national carrier after Saudia.
The Red Sea, on Saudi’s west coast, will add eight resorts on Shura Island, including Faena and Four Seasons, while sister destination Amaala will debut with a yacht club and six wellness-led resorts, among them Six Senses with a longevity clinic, Mykonos hotspot Nammos, with 110 keys including a cliffside villa, and 153-key Jayasom Wellness Resort, with family zones and adult-only enclaves offering evidence-based, personalised wellness journeys with a focus on menopause, hormonal balance and sleep.
Key Developments
Dream of the Desert
Journeying from Riyadh to Quarayyat, the Middle East’s first ultra-luxury train, set to launch in 2026, will feature 33 suites, two fine-dining cars and a Majlis-style lounge.
Fairmont The Red Sea
Situated on Shura Island, this 193-room resort is due to open in 2026 with an overwater restaurant blessed with mangrove views and access to an impressive 18-hole championship golf course.
Aquarabia, Qiddiya City
Claiming to be the Middle East’s largest theme water park, Aquarabia sits alongside Six Flags and features 22 slides and attractions, some record-breaking, and Saudi’s first surf pool.
Accommodation Performance
Between 2024 and 2025, travellers took slightly shorter trips to the kingdom, contributing to slight declines in key spending metrics. Average daily rates (ADR) fell by 3.1%, while average transaction value dropped 8%.
Want to know more?
This feature is an extract from the Connecting Travel Insight Report 2026. With exclusive data from industry heavyweights RateHawk and Emerging Travel Group, the 35-page report forecasts key developments in the GCC travel and tourism sector as well as revealing this year’s top 10 outbound destinations for GCC travellers, providing a roadmap to new opportunities. Get your complimentary copy here today.
Trending
Latest
Jacobs Media is a company registered in England and Wales, company number 08713328. 3rd Floor, 52 Grosvenor Gardens, London SW1W 0AU
© 2025 Jacobs Media
