Umrah performers, pilgrims hit record levels: Vision 2030

Saudi Arabia reported record tourism momentum, driven by sustained development of the sector in recent years, alongside the rapid rollout of new destinations and extensive efforts to ready cities for rising visitor inflows.

This growth has been further supported by strong integration with adjacent sectors such as sports and entertainment, through hosting global events and major sporting tournaments, as well as business activity via international conferences and forums.

Flagship initiatives such as Riyadh Season, Jeddah Season, and Al Khobar Season have also played a key role in boosting tourism.

Amid this surge, the Kingdom has already surpassed its target of attracting 100 million domestic and international tourists ahead of schedule, prompting an ambition to reach 150 million visitors by 2030.

Flagship projects have played a central role in driving this transformation. The Red Sea destination has emerged as a key highlight with the opening of Shura Island and luxury resorts such as Nujuma and Shebara. At the same time, AlUla and Diriyah have strengthened their positioning as leading cultural and heritage destinations, with Diriyah recording more than 3.6 million visits since opening its sites.

Tourism activity continued to expand, with total visitor numbers reaching nearly 123 million in 2025, including 29.3 million international tourists. Visitor spending also hit a record SAR 304 billion, supported by major events such as Riyadh Season and the Esports World Cup.

Data for 2025 reflects a significant expansion in the Kingdom’s tourism infrastructure, driven by growth in hospitality capacity, improved air connectivity, and more streamlined visa processes.

The number of licensed tourist accommodation facilities rose to around 5,937, while the total number of licensed rooms reached approximately 596,900.

The Hajj and Umrah sector also saw solid growth during the year, with increasing numbers of pilgrims supported by expanded transport services and enhanced digital offerings.

International Umrah arrivals reached a new record of about 18.03 million in 2025, surpassing the annual target of 15 million, while the number of Hajj pilgrims stood at around 1.5 million.

This progress has been underpinned by a range of initiatives, including the development of an integrated digital ecosystem such as the Nusuk platform and the launch of the unified visa platform. In addition, ongoing upgrades to services and Islamic heritage sites in Makkah and Madinah have enriched the experience for pilgrims and visitors.

Targeted initiatives have also been introduced for select countries to facilitate Umrah travel.

Meanwhile, more than 1.2 million pilgrims benefited from the “Makkah Route” initiative across eight countries, while the Nusuk app recorded over 44 million downloads and is now available in 190 countries.