Saudi Arabia sees 126% surge in domestic travel

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Bujairi Terrace in Diriyah, Saudi Arabia / Credit: STA

Saudi Arabia’s domestic tourism has experienced record-breaking growth, with Dragonpass data showing a 126% surge in domestic passenger numbers on flights between 2024 and 2025.

This sharp rise, which more than doubled demand for domestic flights in just one year, reflects the impact of major infrastructure investment, streamlined travel services and targeted promotional efforts under the kingdom’s Vision 2030 strategy.

Contributing to this growth, more than 4,980 licensed hotels and tourism hospitality facilities were operating in Saudi Arabia by the end of Q1 2025, marking a 67.5% year-on-year increase in licensed hotels, according to data from the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT).

This growth is supported by an expanding calendar of cultural and entertainment events, from the Aseer Summer Season’s cultural, musical, and artistic programmes to increased festivities along the Red Sea coast and in the regions of Taif and Al Baha, all of which help to fuel travel demand.

Al Jaahel Museum in Abha, Saudi Arabia / Credit: STA

The increase in domestic travel has been accompanied by a notable rise in demand for premium services.

Dragonpass data shows significant growth in airport lounge usage, with Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport recording a 155.7% rise, Jeddah’s King Abdulaziz International Airport growing 165.6%, and Abha International Airport seeing usage soar 271.8%.

“As the country positions itself as a global hub for tourism and business, we are seeing travellers seek more elevated and seamless airport experiences,” Andrew Harrison-Chinn, Chief Marketing Officer at Dragonpass.

Saudi summer travel trends revealed

Saudi Arabia targets 4.1 million visitors with summer campaign

This year’s momentum was bolstered further by strong summer bookings, with the kingdom attracting a record 32 million tourists, a 26% rise on summer 2024, with visitor spending reaching a record SAR53.2 billion, reflecting a 15% year-on-year increase.

This growth in visitor numbers and spending highlights not only seasonal demand but also the impact of coordinated tourism initiatives.

The Saudi Tourism Authority’s “Color Your Summer” campaign, for instance, introduced 600 new tourism products and was supported by more than one million additional domestic flights, expanding access to destinations from the Red Sea coast to the Hijazi mountains.

The Red Sea, Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia recently claimed top spot in growth of international tourism revenues, according to the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) May 2025 Barometer.

The kingdom recorded a staggering SAR49.4 billion (US$13.2 billion) in international visitor spending during the first quarter of 2025 compared to Q1 2019, marking a 9.7% increase from the same period last year.

International arrivals in Q1 2025 surged 102% compared to pre-pandemic levels, far outpacing the global average growth of 3% and the Middle East’s 44% rise.

Having already surpassed its original goal of attracting 100 million annual visitors (2024 saw 116 million, an 8% rise), Saudi is now targeting 150 million visitors by 2030.

For more information, visit www.dragonpass.com and www.sta.gov.sa