How Saudi Arabia Became the World Leader in Tourism Revenue Growth

In early 2025, something remarkable happened.
The world’s attention turned to Saudi Arabia — not for oil, not for religion, not for geopolitics — but for tourism.

According to the UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), Saudi Arabia ranked first globally in the growth of international tourism revenues during the first quarter of 2025. A historic milestone. A global headline. A moment that didn’t just surprise the world — it confirmed what Saudis already knew:

The Kingdom is no longer just opening its doors. It’s opening a new chapter.

It All Started with a Vision

In 2016, His Royal Highness Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman introduced Vision 2030, a bold roadmap to diversify the Saudi economy and unlock the Kingdom’s full potential. One of its most ambitious goals? Transforming Saudi Arabia into a world-class tourism destination.

Back then, skeptics raised eyebrows.
Today, they raise their hands to book a trip.

The Numbers That Changed the Conversation

Let’s pause the storytelling for just a moment, because the numbers tell a story too:

• +102% growth in international tourist arrivals (Q1 2025 vs. Q1 2019)
• $13.2 billion (SAR 49.4 billion) in international tourism spending in just three months
• 11.7% increase in the travel account surplus
• Top 3 worldwide in growth of international arrivals
• The #1 globally in the growth of international tourism revenues

This isn’t ordinary growth — it’s a leap into global leadership.

The Architect of Tourism Transformation

While Vision 2030 laid the foundation, His Excellency Ahmed Al Khateeb, Minister of Tourism, brought it to life.

From Day One, H.E. Ahmed Al Khateeb understood that building a tourism economy isn’t about just attracting visitors — it’s about reshaping perception. He helped the world see Saudi Arabia not just as a stopover, but as a destination.

His leadership brought:

• The launch of the Saudi eVisa in 2019
• A focus on experience design — from AlUla to Riyadh Season
• A wave of public-private partnerships that empowered SMEs and investors
• A bold new narrative that combined heritage, hospitality, and high-tech tourism

Under his watch, the Ministry of Tourism didn’t just manage growth.
It engineered a movement.

Tourism Is More Than Travel — It’s National Strategy

In Saudi Arabia today, tourism touches everything:

• Youth employment in hotels, airports, and entertainment
• Startups building booking platforms, mobility services, and cultural content
• Women entering new roles in tourism, design, and hospitality
• Local communities revitalizing their traditions into visitor experiences

Tourism became a platform for national pride, not just GDP growth.

And the goal is clear:
🎯 150 million visitors annually by 2030.

From Curious to Captivated: The Global Shift

Before 2019, Saudi Arabia was barely on the global tourism map.

Now?

• Travel influencers are documenting hidden gems in Najran and Jazan.
• Luxury brands are hosting events in AlUla and the Red Sea.
• International investors are competing for opportunities in Diriyah and NEOM.
• Cultural travelers are discovering stories that go far beyond stereotypes.

We used to ask:

“Will tourists come to Saudi Arabia?”
Now the world is asking:
“How can we be part of what Saudi Arabia is building?”

This Is What Winning Looks Like

At Saudi Wins, we don’t just celebrate milestones — we unpack what they mean.

This Q1 2025 win is about:

• Strategy backed by data
• Vision anchored in values
• Leadership that delivers
• Citizens who believe

Saudi Arabia didn’t reach the top of the global tourism charts by chance.
It did so with purpose — and with pride.

This is more than a headline. It’s a moment of alignment, where a national vision, ministerial execution, and collective ambition all came together.

So here’s to:

• HRH Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, whose Vision 2030 gave us the roadmap
• H.E. Ahmed Al Khateeb, who turned that roadmap into a global benchmark
• And every Saudi citizen — from tour guides in Abha to chefs in Al Khobar — who made this possible.

Because in 2025, the world came to visit.
And what they found… was a Kingdom that’s ready to lead.