Riyadh, Saudi Arabia — Saudi Arabia has officially surpassed 100 million tourists. This marks a significant milestone under its Vision 2030 tourism strategy. Tourism now contributes 5% to national GDP—up from 3% in 2019. The government aims to increase this to 10% by 2030, aligning with global benchmarks.
Tourism Minister Ahmed Al-Khateeb announced the figures at the recent Investment Forum. He credited the rise to regulatory reforms and heavy infrastructure investment. “We are building a new economic pillar under the guidance of the Crown Prince,” he said. “Tourism will become as vital to our economy as oil.”
Visa Reforms and Global Tourism Ranking
Saudi Arabia’s rise in global tourism has been swift. Citizens of 65 countries can now secure visit visas in under five minutes. These reforms have opened the door to a broader visitor base. Since 2019, the Kingdom has jumped from 5 million to more than 30 million international arrivals.
The government aims to double that figure by 2030. Its tourism strategy focuses on accessibility, mega-projects, and cultural preservation. Together, these priorities support becoming one of the world’s top five tourist destinations.
Integrating Tourism Into the National Economy
Tourism is not operating in isolation. It now overlaps with hospitality, heritage, entertainment, and retail. The Ministry sees the sector as a long-term economic engine. This growth model supports Vision 2030’s goals of job creation and reduced oil dependence.
Saudi Arabia’s infrastructure pipeline, including NEOM, Diriyah, and Red Sea projects, reinforces this vision. These sites are designed to sustain both international appeal and domestic economic diversification.
Saudi Standard’s View: Tourism Emerges as a Foundational Economic Sector
Surpassing 100 million tourists is more than symbolic—it signals the institutionalization of tourism within Saudi Arabia’s economic framework. The GDP increase from 3% to 5% in four years shows Vision 2030 is not just aspirational but operational.
What sets the Kingdom apart is speed and scale. Visa simplification, national branding, and infrastructure expansion are working in sync. This unified strategy has propelled Saudi Arabia into the global tourism mainstream, even as its flagship projects remain in early stages.
The next challenge is sustainability—balancing growth with cultural preservation and environmental care. As Saudi Arabia pushes toward the global top five, future success will depend on experience quality, regional resilience, and sectoral integration.
