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Saudi Arabia becomes Middle East’s largest tourism development market

  • Jun 23
  • 2 min read
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, June 23 — Saudi Arabia has attracted more than $120 billion in new tourism investment, with over 50 international hospitality brands expanding across the Kingdom, the Saudi Press Agency reported, citing a special report released by the Ministry of Tourism. The report, titled “Global Investments in Saudi Tourism,” was launched during the Future Hospitality Summit in Riyadh, which runs from June 22 to 24. SPA said the report points to a sharp rise in international investor activity in the Saudi tourism market, supported by strong domestic travel, rising inbound demand and a more coordinated investment framework. The ministry said Saudi Arabia now has the largest tourism development pipeline in the Middle East and one of the fastest-growing globally, particularly in luxury hotel supply. The pipeline is expected to deliver more than 200,000 hotel keys by 2030, with private-sector developers projected to provide around half of the total. The report said Saudi Arabia’s investment appeal has been strengthened by changes across the tourism sector, including updated regulations, easier licensing, investment incentives, digital government services and one-stop investor centers. It also highlighted broader factors supporting the market, including growing access to Saudi destinations, expanded connectivity, major infrastructure projects and programs aimed at training Saudi nationals for tourism and hospitality jobs. The Ministry of Tourism said the report is part of its effort to present investors with clearer data on opportunities in the Kingdom’s tourism market. It said improved transparency would help both domestic and international investors enter the sector and support the private-sector role envisioned under Saudi Vision 2030. Tourism is a central part of Saudi Arabia’s economic diversification strategy, with the Kingdom seeking to expand hospitality capacity, attract global operators and raise the sector’s contribution to the national economy.
Saudi Arabia becomes Middle East’s largest tourism development market | 📷SPA

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, June 23 — Saudi Arabia has attracted more than $120 billion in new tourism investment, with over 50 international hospitality brands expanding across the Kingdom, the Saudi Press Agency reported, citing a special report released by the Ministry of Tourism.


The report, titled “Global Investments in Saudi Tourism,” was launched during the Future Hospitality Summit in Riyadh, which runs from June 22 to 24.


SPA said the report points to a sharp rise in international investor activity in the Saudi tourism market, supported by strong domestic travel, rising inbound demand and a more coordinated investment framework.


The ministry said Saudi Arabia now has the largest tourism development pipeline in the Middle East and one of the fastest-growing globally, particularly in luxury hotel supply. The pipeline is expected to deliver more than 200,000 hotel keys by 2030, with private-sector developers projected to provide around half of the total.


The report said Saudi Arabia’s investment appeal has been strengthened by changes across the tourism sector, including updated regulations, easier licensing, investment incentives, digital government services and one-stop investor centers.


It also highlighted broader factors supporting the market, including growing access to Saudi destinations, expanded connectivity, major infrastructure projects and programs aimed at training Saudi nationals for tourism and hospitality jobs.


The Ministry of Tourism said the report is part of its effort to present investors with clearer data on opportunities in the Kingdom’s tourism market. It said improved transparency would help both domestic and international investors enter the sector and support the private-sector role envisioned under Saudi Vision 2030.


Tourism is a central part of Saudi Arabia’s economic diversification strategy, with the Kingdom seeking to expand hospitality capacity, attract global operators and raise the sector’s contribution to the national economy.

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