Saudi Arabia Leads Mideast Tourism Growth, Sector Accounts for 14.1% of GDP

RIYADH — Saudi Arabia continues to lead the tourism transformation in the Middle East, with strong growth expected in the travel and tourism sector over the next decade. This growth is driven by rising investments, major tourism projects, and the realization of Saudi Vision 2030 objectives.

The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), in its latest report titled “Economic Impact Research: Global Trends Report,” stated that the Kingdom’s travel and tourism sector accounts for approximately 14.1 percent of its GDP. Across Middle Eastern markets, governments are heavily investing in tourism infrastructure, connectivity, visitor experiences, and destination development as part of broader economic diversification strategies. Saudi Arabia stands out as a clear example of this commitment, recording 19.4 percent growth in Travel & Tourism investment in 2025. This is supported by Vision 2030, investor-friendly reforms, and a pipeline of large-scale tourism projects designed to attract both domestic and international capital.

The WTTC report highlighted the Middle East's outlook as a story of short-term disruption and long-term resilience. The region is expected to overcome current challenges and remain one of the world's strongest travel and tourism growth markets. The Middle East is forecast to become the fastest-growing travel and tourism region globally between 2026 and 2036, with sector GDP expected to expand at an annual rate of 6.3 percent, reaching $605 billion by 2036.

The WTTC’s projections indicate that international visitor spending in the Kingdom will more than double over the next decade. This is primarily driven by the continued expansion of the sector and the development of tourist destinations, infrastructure, transportation networks, and enhanced visitor experiences. This growth underscores the increasing role of the tourism sector in supporting the diversification of the Saudi economy and enhancing its contribution to gross domestic product, while further consolidating the Kingdom’s position as a global tourist destination. This progress is being supported by major projects, events, and the development of diverse tourist destinations in line with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030.

The Council emphasized that the Kingdom’s long-term investments in the travel and tourism sector are strengthening its ability to navigate short-term challenges and sustain growth in the coming years. This positions Saudi Arabia as one of the region’s most prominent engines of tourism growth through 2036. The report pointed out that Saudi Arabia remains a clear example of this commitment, recording 19.4 percent growth in travel and tourism investment in 2025, supported by Vision 2030, investor-friendly reforms, and a pipeline of large-scale tourism projects designed to attract both domestic and international capital.