The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) released its 'Tourism Trends and Policies 2026' report, which reflected the rapid growth and qualitative achievements of the tourism sector in the Kingdom, strengthening Saudi Arabia's position on the global tourism map and cementing its presence as one of the fastest-growing tourist destinations worldwide.

The number of inbound tourists rose to 29.3 million and domestic tourists to 93.3 million in 2025.

The report highlighted that the Kingdom achieved the highest growth rate in international inbound tourist numbers between 2019 and 2025 compared to OECD member countries and partner economies included in the study, recording a growth of 67%, confirming the success of efforts to develop the tourism sector and enhance its global competitiveness.

The report indicated that the number of inbound tourists from abroad rose from 17.5 million in 2019 to 29.3 million in 2025, an increase of approximately 11.7 million tourists, surpassing pre-COVID-19 pandemic levels, reflecting the accelerating growth pace of the sector and its recovery momentum exceeding many global markets.

The report also noted that inbound tourism continued to enhance its economic contribution, with total spending by inbound tourists reaching SAR 176.6 billion in 2025, achieving growth of 5% compared to 2024, reflecting the rising economic value of the sector and its increased contribution to supporting economic growth and diversifying income sources.

Regarding domestic tourism, the report confirmed that the domestic market continues to play its role as a key pillar for the sustainability and resilience of the sector. The number of domestic tourists reached 93.3 million in 2025, an increase of 8%, while their spending rose by 10% to SAR 127.1 billion, reflecting growing domestic demand and the expansion of tourism options and products across various regions of the Kingdom.

The report highlighted the growing economic and social impact of the tourism sector in the Kingdom. The direct contribution of tourism to GDP reached 5.2% according to preliminary estimates for 2026, while direct employment in the sector exceeded one million jobs, and women's participation rate reached 47%, reflecting the sector's role in supporting economic development and empowering national talent.

The report noted that the Kingdom is among the countries that have adopted ambitious policies and initiatives to develop the tourism sector, through updating regulatory frameworks, enhancing governance, improving the quality of tourism experiences, and developing destinations, contributing to building a more sustainable, resilient tourism sector capable of keeping pace with global changes.

The 'Tourism Trends and Policies 2026' report is one of the most prominent international reports specialized in monitoring the performance of the tourism sector. It reviews tourism policies and indicators in 53 countries and economies from OECD member countries and partner economies, and provides an analysis of the most prominent trends and practices that contribute to promoting sustainable growth and enhancing the sector's competitiveness globally.