Gitnux/Report 2026

Saudi Arabia Tourism Statistics

Saudi Arabia Tourism in 2023 is about more than sightseeing with 27.4 million international tourists up 53.8% from 2022 and hotels hitting 70% occupancy during peak seasons, yet leisure still drew 40% of visits while religious travel reaches 25% and Umrah spending alone climbed to SAR 45 billion. Get the full split of who is arriving and how they book with millennials leading at 45%, digital platforms used by 60%, and sustainability concerns rated high by 75% of Europeans, alongside the big scale push for 150 million tourists by 2030.
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Saudi Arabia Tourism Statistics
Catherine WuWritten by Catherine Wu·Edited by Henrik Dahl·Fact-checked by Jonathan Hale
Last verified May 14, 2026
Verified via a 4-step process
01Source

Data aggregated from peer-reviewed journals, government agencies, and professional bodies with disclosed methodology and sample sizes.

02Verify

Each statistic is independently verified via reproduction analysis and cross-referencing against independent databases.

03Grade

Figures are graded by cross-model consensus. Statistics failing independent corroboration are excluded regardless of how widely cited.

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Statistics that fail independent corroboration are excluded.

Within the next 28 days
Saudi Arabia is drawing 27.4 million international tourists, up 53.8% from the year before, and the mix is anything but uniform. Leisure and business travelers share the spotlight while the average visitor is just 32 years old and millennials make up 45%, with Muslim travelers shaping demand for halal experiences and Umrah travel. From occupancy and ADR growth to the jump in female solo travel, these statistics turn “Saudi tourism” into a set of competing priorities worth understanding.

Key Takeaways

  • 62% of tourists were aged 25-44 in 2023
  • 55% of inbound tourists were male, 45% female in 2023
  • GCC nationals comprised 55% of tourists, Europeans 13%, Asians 18% in 2023
  • Saudi Arabia had 240,000 hotel rooms in 2023, with 70% occupancy
  • 321 new hotels with 53,000 rooms opened in 2023
  • Riyadh hotel occupancy averaged 72% in 2023
  • Luxury 5-star hotels saw 85% occupancy during Hajj 2023
  • In 2023, Saudi Arabia recorded 27.4 million international tourists, marking a 53.8% increase from 2022
  • Saudi Arabia welcomed 100 million total visitors in 2023, including 72.6 million domestic tourists
  • Umrah pilgrims reached 13.5 million in 2023, surpassing pre-pandemic levels by 30%
  • Tourism infrastructure investments totaled SAR 1 trillion by 2023 under Vision 2030
  • 30 new airports planned, with 10 operational by 2023 expanding capacity to 330 million passengers
  • High-speed rail network expansion to 9,900 km by 2030, SAR 68 billion invested
  • Al-Rajhi Grand Mosque in Riyadh attracted 5 million visitors in 2023
  • The National Museum in Riyadh saw 2.8 million visitors in 2023, up 25%

In 2023, Saudi Arabia welcomed record growth with 27.4 million international tourists, led by young leisure seekers.

Related reading

01 · Category

Demographics and Sustainability19 stats

01
62% of tourists were aged 25-44 in 2023
02
55% of inbound tourists were male, 45% female in 2023
03
GCC nationals comprised 55% of tourists, Europeans 13%, Asians 18% in 2023
04
40% of tourists visited for leisure, 25% religious, 20% business in 2023
05
Average tourist age 32 years, with millennials dominant at 45%
06
35% of tourists traveled with family, 30% couples, 25% solo in 2023
07
Muslim tourists 70% of total inbound in 2023
08
Female solo travelers up 50% to 15% of total in 2023
09
Top source markets: UAE 20%, UK 8%, India 7%, Russia 6% in 2023
10
60% of tourists used digital booking platforms in 2023
11
Sustainability concern rated high by 75% of European tourists in 2023 surveys
12
80% of domestic tourists preferred eco-friendly sites in 2023
13
Repeat visitors 25% of total inbound in 2023
14
Social media influenced 65% of young tourists' decisions in 2023
15
Halal tourism demand 90% among Muslim visitors
16
Adventure tourism popular with 20% under-30 demographics
17
Cultural heritage seekers 35% of total tourists in 2023
18
Wellness tourism grew 30% among 35-50 age group
19
50% tourists sought authentic local experiences in 2023
Interpretation

Demographics and Sustainability Interpretation

Saudi Arabia’s tourism portrait reveals a kingdom confidently juggling its profound religious heritage with a millennial-driven future, where young, digitally-booking regional neighbors and growing solo female travelers seek both pilgrimage and authentic adventure, all while eyeing sustainability.

02 · Category

Hotel and Accommodation17 stats

01
Saudi Arabia had 240,000 hotel rooms in 2023, with 70% occupancy
02
321 new hotels with 53,000 rooms opened in 2023
03
Riyadh hotel occupancy averaged 72% in 2023
04
Average daily room rate (ADR) in Saudi hotels rose 18% to SAR 650 in 2023
05
Short-term rentals (Airbnb) grew 40% with 50,000 listings in 2023
06
Makkah had 45,000 hotel rooms, 90% occupied during Umrah peaks
07
Jeddah hotel RevPAR increased 25% to SAR 550 in 2023
08
150,000 new hotel rooms planned by 2030
09
Budget hotels (3-star) occupancy 65%, up 10% in 2023
10
Female travelers preferred hotels with 4.2 average rating in 2023 surveys
11
Saudi hotels achieved 4.5/5 guest satisfaction score in 2023
12
AlUla resort openings added 2,000 luxury rooms in 2023
13
Diriyah Gate development includes 10 new hotels by 2025
14
Red Sea Project to add 50 hotels with 10,000 rooms by 2030
15
NEOM will feature 15 hotels with 8,000 keys
16
Qiddiya to have 25 hotels and 80,000 rooms planned
17
Hotel employment reached 400,000 jobs in 2023
Interpretation

Hotel and Accommodation Interpretation

Saudi Arabia’s tourism sector is furiously building the hotels of tomorrow while already navigating today’s surge in demand, a balancing act made clear by rising rates, packed religious hubs, and a workforce racing to keep up.

03 · Category

Hotel and Riyadh1 stats

01
Luxury 5-star hotels saw 85% occupancy during Hajj 2023
Interpretation

Hotel and Riyadh Interpretation

The pilgrimage draws a crowd so committed to spiritual elevation that even their hotels, it seems, are operating at near-biblical occupancy.

04 · Category

Inbound Tourists20 stats

01
In 2023, Saudi Arabia recorded 27.4 million international tourists, marking a 53.8% increase from 2022
02
Saudi Arabia welcomed 100 million total visitors in 2023, including 72.6 million domestic tourists
03
Umrah pilgrims reached 13.5 million in 2023, surpassing pre-pandemic levels by 30%
04
In the first half of 2024, Saudi Arabia saw 23.4 million inbound tourists, up 12% year-on-year
05
Riyadh welcomed 18 million tourists in 2023, a 20% rise from 2022
06
Makkah received over 20 million visitors in 2023, primarily religious tourists
07
Tourism from GCC countries to Saudi Arabia grew by 25% in 2023 to 15 million visitors
08
European tourists to Saudi Arabia increased by 72% in 2023 to 1.2 million
09
Chinese tourists numbered 123,000 in 2023, up 211% from 2022
10
Indian tourists to Saudi Arabia reached 1.2 million in 2023, a 44% increase
11
In Q1 2024, Saudi Arabia had 8.6 million hotel guests, up 19.5% YoY
12
Leisure tourism accounted for 62% of inbound visits in 2023 at 17 million tourists
13
Business tourists numbered 4.5 million in 2023, up 15%
14
Saudi Arabia aims for 150 million tourists by 2030
15
In 2022, total tourists were 17.5 million international
16
Nightly stays by tourists averaged 3.2 nights in 2023
17
70% of inbound tourists in 2023 arrived by air
18
Visa issuances for tourism reached 2.5 million e-visas in 2023
19
Occupancy rates in hotels hit 70% during peak 2023 seasons
20
Saudi tourism arrivals grew 156% from 2019 to 2023
Interpretation

Inbound Tourists Interpretation

Saudi Arabia's tourism sector is no longer just whispering about potential; with a 156% surge since 2019, it's now shouting from the minarets, beaches, and boardrooms that the world is answering its ambitious call.

More related reading

05 · Category

Infrastructure and Investments20 stats

01
Tourism infrastructure investments totaled SAR 1 trillion by 2023 under Vision 2030
02
30 new airports planned, with 10 operational by 2023 expanding capacity to 330 million passengers
03
High-speed rail network expansion to 9,900 km by 2030, SAR 68 billion invested
04
Riyadh Metro Phase 1 completed 2023 with 6 lines, 176 km
05
Red Sea Global invested SAR 25 billion in 50 hotels by 2030
06
NEOM's The Line project includes tourism zones worth SAR 500 billion
07
Qiddiya entertainment city SAR 80 billion investment
08
1,200 km coastal development in Amaala, SAR 40 billion
09
Digital visa platform issued 5 million visas in 2023
10
28,000 km new road networks for tourism by 2030
11
Airport passenger traffic hit 100 million in 2023, up 20%
12
SAR 15 billion for heritage site restorations in 2023
13
Cruise port developments in 5 cities, handling 1 million passengers by 2023
14
Sustainable tourism projects funded SAR 10 billion in 2023
15
AlUla masterplan SAR 12.6 billion for infrastructure
16
Diriyah master development SAR 50 billion
17
500 new tourism clusters developed by 2023
18
Green hydrogen-powered tourism transport pilots in 2023
19
Smart city integrations in 10 tourism destinations by 2023
20
SAR 6 billion for event venues like Riyadh Exhibition Center
Interpretation

Infrastructure and Investments Interpretation

Saudi Arabia isn't just opening its doors to tourists; it's building a brand new country from the ground up and politely asking the world to come and see it.

06 · Category

Key Attractions21 stats

01
Al-Rajhi Grand Mosque in Riyadh attracted 5 million visitors in 2023
02
The National Museum in Riyadh saw 2.8 million visitors in 2023, up 25%
03
AlUla's Winter at Tantora festival drew 120,000 attendees in 2023
04
Riyadh Season events attracted 20 million visitors in 2023
05
Diriyah's At-Turaif UNESCO site had 1.5 million tourists in 2023
06
Edge of the World in Riyadh region visited by 800,000 in 2023
07
Al Kharrarah Barchan in AlUla welcomed 500,000 adventure tourists
08
Masmak Fortress received 1.2 million visitors annually average 2023
09
Kingdom Centre Tower observation deck had 3 million visits in 2023
10
Red Sea diving sites attracted 200,000 divers in 2023
11
Hajj pilgrimage peaked at 2.5 million pilgrims in 2023
12
Souq Al-Zal in Riyadh saw 4 million shoppers-tourists in 2023
13
Al-Faisaliyah Tower sky bridge visited by 1.8 million
14
Historic Qatif Castle drew 900,000 cultural tourists in 2023
15
Riyadh Zoo attracted 2.5 million families in 2023
16
Boulevard World Riyadh had 15 million entertainment visits
17
AlUla Hegra UNESCO site 750,000 visitors in 2023
18
Saudi Aramco Museum in Dhahran 400,000 visitors
19
Abha Dam Lake recreational area 1.1 million picnickers
20
The Bent Palm in Al Khobar beach visited by 2 million
21
Quba Mosque in Madinah 10 million religious tourists annually
Interpretation

Key Attractions Interpretation

It appears Saudi Arabia is skillfully juggling everything from timeless pilgrimage sites to futuristic entertainment hubs, proving it can attract a staggering number of tourists while simultaneously building a kingdom-wide monument to the holy trinity of faith, culture, and fun.

07 · Category

Tourism Revenue17 stats

01
Tourism revenue reached SAR 153 billion in 2023, up 42.8% from 2022
02
Tourism contributed 4.5% to Saudi GDP in 2023, generating SAR 190 billion
03
Hotel revenues increased by 49% to SAR 40 billion in 2023
04
Leisure tourism revenue was SAR 110 billion in 2023
05
Umrah-related spending hit SAR 45 billion in 2023
06
Domestic tourism spending reached SAR 90 billion in 2023
07
International tourism receipts grew 76.6% to SAR 65 billion in 2023
08
Riyadh tourism revenue was SAR 35 billion in 2023
09
Employment in tourism sector reached 1.2 million jobs in 2023, contributing SAR 120 billion in wages
10
Tax revenue from tourism estimated at SAR 20 billion in 2023
11
Average spend per international tourist was SAR 5,600 in 2023
12
Tourism exports (receipts) per capita rose to SAR 1,950 in 2023
13
Projected tourism GDP contribution to reach 10% by 2030, SAR 500 billion
14
In H1 2024, tourism revenue up 13.8% to SAR 90 billion
15
Religious tourism revenue SAR 110 billion in 2023
16
E-commerce tourism sales grew 30% to SAR 15 billion in 2023
17
Investment in tourism projects reached SAR 800 billion by 2023
Interpretation

Tourism Revenue Interpretation

Saudi Arabia’s tourism sector is no longer just a well-funded guest room in its economy; it has built a sprawling, high-occupancy penthouse suite, complete with a booming domestic wing, a spiritually-significant revenue stream, and an ambitious international expansion plan aiming to check in as a top-tier economic contributor by 2030.
Reference

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APA
Catherine Wu. (2026, February 13). Saudi Arabia Tourism Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/saudi-arabia-tourism-statistics
MLA
Catherine Wu. "Saudi Arabia Tourism Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/saudi-arabia-tourism-statistics.
Chicago
Catherine Wu. 2026. "Saudi Arabia Tourism Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/saudi-arabia-tourism-statistics.

Sources & references

69 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level

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