Tourism industry in Saudi Arabia - statistics & facts
Tourism in Saudi Arabia is undergoing a major transformation, driven by the Vision 2030 initiative. The government has taken several initiatives to accelerate the achievement of the National Tourism Strategy and Vision 2030 targets of attracting millions of visitors per year, increasing the tourism sector's contribution to GDP, and creating tourism jobs. By 2025, the tourism industry was projected to contribute to Saudi Arabia’s economy over 86 billion U.S. dollars.
The government adopted a resolution enabling the Ministry of Tourism to ease tax and cut customs duties for relevant public departments to encourage firms to participate in the country's booming tourism sector. With the non-oil private sector being the largest contributor to the country’s GDP, the government aims to cooperate with private-sector firms to design work plans and training programs that will result in job generation and training for Saudi citizens.
Saudi Arabia’s tourism revolution
The number of tourists visiting Saudi Arabia for non-religious purposes has increased. The country has been actively investing in various attractions and developing giga-projects, including the Red Sea Project, Amaala, and Neom, the mega project with the highest value of construction contracts awarded. The Red Sea Project, meanwhile, is being constructed across a chain of more than 90 islands, mountain canyons, dormant volcanoes, and historic landmarks. The development of tourism infrastructure and the hotel industry in Saudi Arabia, along with the introduction of e-visas for international travelers, has made it more inviting for tourists to explore the country.The government adopted a resolution enabling the Ministry of Tourism to ease tax and cut customs duties for relevant public departments to encourage firms to participate in the country's booming tourism sector. With the non-oil private sector being the largest contributor to the country’s GDP, the government aims to cooperate with private-sector firms to design work plans and training programs that will result in job generation and training for Saudi citizens.
