Saudi Arabia’s tourism industry is undergoing a transformation — and it’s happening fast.
At the Saudi-US Investment Forum in Riyadh, Minister of Tourism Ahmed Al Khateeb shared the Kingdom’s bold ambition: by 2030, tourism should contribute 10% of Saudi Arabia’s economy. For comparison, the global tourism sector also makes up around 10% of the world’s economy — and Saudi Arabia wants to meet that benchmark.
The journey so far is impressive. Back in 2019, tourism contributed just 3% to the Saudi economy. Today, it stands at 5%, and with the momentum already in place, the goal of doubling that by the end of the decade seems well within reach.
From Millions to the Top Ten
Saudi Arabia’s rise on the global tourism map is nothing short of remarkable.
In 2019, the Kingdom welcomed around five million international visitors. Fast forward to today, and that number has grown to over 30 million. It’s no surprise, then, that the country is now ranked among the top 10 most visited countries in the world.
But the vision doesn’t stop there.
By 2030, Saudi Arabia aims to welcome 50 million international tourists, which would place it among the top five most visited countries globally.
Streamlining the Journey
One major driver behind this growth is simplified visa access. As Al Khateeb pointed out, citizens from 65 countries can now obtain a Saudi tourist visa in as little as two to five minutes. This quick and easy process is making the Kingdom more accessible than ever — and it’s paying off.
Vision 2030: A New Sector Takes Shape
Al Khateeb emphasized that this is more than just a tourism push — it’s part of a much larger strategy. Under the direction of HRH the Crown Prince, the Kingdom is working to unlock untapped opportunities and hidden treasures across the country.
“We are very excited to build this new sector,” he said. “We are accelerating our progress toward achieving the 2030 goals, and tourism will become as vital to our economy as oil.”
Supporting the Vision on the Ground
At BM Events, we are proud to support Saudi Arabia’s growing tourism sector by delivering trusted event staffing solutions across the Kingdom. As a leading manpower agency in KSA, we provide trained and culturally aware staff for large-scale exhibitions, hospitality venues, and tourism events. Our hospitality staffing solutions are designed to meet the high standards of service expected by today’s global travelers — ensuring that Saudi Arabia’s vision is not only achieved, but exceeded.
