Saudi Arabia visitor numbers rise to more than 60.9 million in H1 2025

Sign up to our newsletters

Stay informed with the
latest news and analysis

Tourists at Elephant rock, AlUla / ©Saudi Tourism Board

Saudi Arabia attracted more than 60.9 million domestic and international visitors in the first half of 2025, a 1.5% increase over the 60 million recorded in H1 2024.

Domestic travellers accounted for 46.6 million of these visitors.

The Ministry of Tourism reports that travel spending surged to SAR161.4 billion, rising 4% and outpacing the growth in visitor numbers.

Inbound visitors stayed an average of 6.7 nights, while domestic travellers averaged 18.6 nights, more than twice the inbound figure, evidence that Saudi travellers are engaging more deeply with the kingdom’s expanding tourism offerings.

Hotels received 43% of accommodation demand, while furnished apartments and private residences attracted significant interest, showing that travellers actively seek out extended-stay and alternative lodging options.

Hilton to add more than 22,000 rooms in Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia’s Flynas to resume Jeddah-Kuwait service

Leisure, shopping and sports trips drove most arrivals, thanks to Saudi Arabia’s high-profile entertainment and sports calendar, which included the inaugural ATP Next Gen Finals (tennis) in Jeddah, the Esports World Cup and a first-ever Guns N’ Roses concert in the first half of 2025

Makkah and Madinah dominated inbound tourism, whereas Riyadh and the Eastern Province including Dammam and Khobar led in domestic travel, driven by event-focused visitation and hospitality product launches.

Kimpton Riyadh and Renaissance Riyadh Hotel both opened in King Abdullah Financial District, boosting the capital’s appeal.

The Aseer region in southwest Saudi drew 2.9 million tourists, marking a 6.3% annual increase.

Kimpton Riyadh debuted in September

International visitor growth was strongest from Egypt, Pakistan and Kuwait, with notable gains from India and Indonesia due to rising Umrah travel and new flight connections.

In the last year, Saudia has launched debut routes to Indonesia, including four weekly direct flights from Jeddah and Madinah to Medan and three weekly services to Bali. The airline has also increased capacity to six cities in India, now offering 54 weekly flights.

Looking ahead, the Ministry of Tourism expects Saudi’s full-year arrivals to surpass 120 million, with stretch targets as high as 127 million, powered by record travel demand, expanded air connectivity and new mega-project launches, including major resort openings on the Red Sea.

Red Sea Global has said it will open 16 resorts by the end of 2026 and 50 by 2030, while Hilton plans to add 83 hotels and 22,000 rooms across 14 brands, with two thirds of its pipeline already under construction.

Tourism spending is projected to approach SAR200 billion, with the sector on track to contribute 10% of national GDP by year-end.

For more information, visit mt.gov.sa