Saudi Arabia Tops OECD Tourism Growth Rankings as Visitor Numbers Surge

Saudi Arabia has emerged as the fastest-growing tourism destination among countries and partner economies assessed by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), according to the organization’s Tourism Trends and Policies 2026 report.

The report highlights the Kingdom’s rapid expansion in tourism, showing that international visitor arrivals increased by 67 percent between 2019 and 2025, the highest growth rate recorded among the OECD member countries and partner economies included in the study. The figures reflect Saudi Arabia’s continued efforts to expand its tourism industry and strengthen its position as a global travel destination, according to a report published by Arriyadiyah.

International tourist arrivals climbed from 17.5 million in 2019 to 29.3 million in 2025, an increase of approximately 11.7 million visitors. The growth pushed the Kingdom well beyond its pre-pandemic tourism levels, signaling a strong recovery after the disruption caused by COVID-19 and placing Saudi Arabia among the world’s fastest-expanding travel markets.

The report also highlighted the increasing economic importance of inbound tourism. Spending by international visitors reached SR176.6 billion in 2025, marking a 5 percent increase compared with 2024. The rise in visitor expenditure reflects the sector’s expanding contribution to economic activity and its growing role in supporting Saudi Arabia’s broader plans to diversify sources of national income.

Domestic tourism also posted solid gains during the year, reinforcing its importance as a key driver of the industry’s long-term stability. The number of domestic tourists reached 93.3 million in 2025, representing an 8 percent increase from the previous year.

Spending by domestic travelers rose at an even faster pace, increasing 10 percent to SR127.1 billion ($33.91 billion). The report said the figures indicate stronger demand for travel within the Kingdom as tourism offerings continue to expand across different regions, providing residents with a wider range of destinations and experiences.

The OECD report also pointed to tourism’s growing contribution to Saudi Arabia’s economy and labor market. Preliminary estimates for 2026 show that the sector’s direct contribution to the country’s gross domestic product reached 5.2 percent, reflecting its increasing role in national economic growth.

Employment in the tourism industry also continued to expand. The report estimated that direct jobs in the sector surpassed one million, underlining tourism’s importance as a major source of employment. Women’s participation in the industry reached 47 percent, highlighting the sector’s role in creating new opportunities and supporting workforce development.

The findings reinforce Saudi Arabia’s rising profile in global tourism, with both international and domestic travel continuing to grow. The combination of higher visitor numbers, increased spending and expanding employment suggests that tourism is becoming an increasingly important pillar of the Kingdom’s economy as it continues to attract travelers from around the world.