Khaberni - Saudi Minister of Tourism Ahmed Al-Khateeb reveals, for the first time, the performance figures of the tourism sector in 2025.
He clarified that Saudi Arabia recorded the highest tourism spending in its history, amounting to more than 300 billion riyals, compared to about 282 billion riyals the previous year.
He reported that the number of domestic and international tourists reached 122 million, up from 116 million, including about 30 million foreign tourists, placing Saudi Arabia among the top 10 countries in the world in the tourism sector.
Al-Khateeb, in an interview with «Al Arabiya Business» from Davos, mentioned that Saudi Arabia's participation in the World Economic Forum is part of a longstanding strategic relationship dating back decades, emphasizing that the Kingdom's presence in Davos reflects its status as one of the G20 economies and the largest economy undergoing a deep structural transformation worldwide under Saudi Vision 2030.
Al-Khateeb said: «The Kingdom is actively participating in the forum sessions and bilateral meetings, and the forum held a spring meeting in Riyadh last year, with a new spring meeting to be held in Jeddah next April».
Unprecedented Comprehensive Transformation
Al-Khateeb added: «Last year, the Ministry of Tourism signed a memorandum of cooperation with the forum, and began working on developing the tourism and travel sector in the Kingdom by leveraging the forum's expertise», describing the relationship as long-term, important, and strategic.
He mentioned that Saudi Vision 2030 is beginning to fulfill its promises on the ground, through consecutive inaugurations in major projects such as the Red Sea, Qiddiya, and Diriyah, alongside the private sector's expansion projects in airports and aviation, including «Riyadh Air».
He affirmed that what the tourism sector is witnessing represents a comprehensive and unprecedented transformation, and that the growth rates in Saudi tourism are the highest among the G20 countries.
An Index to Measure Quality of Life
He pointed out that the growth of tourism is directly linked to the development of the aviation sector and infrastructure, noting the expansion of air connectivity with the Kingdom through global companies, and major airport projects, among them King Salman Airport, which supports hosting «Expo 2030» and the 2034 World Cup.
Al-Khateeb announced the upcoming launch of «Quality of Life Index» from Davos, which is the first global index to measure quality of life in cities, coordinated with an American entity, and based on criteria that include infrastructure, services, and living standards; aiming to enhance competition among cities globally.
