According to a report by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)..

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

The report highlighted that the Kingdom achieved the highest growth rate in the number of international tourist arrivals 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 stated that the number of inbound tourists rose from 17.5 million in 2019 to 29.3 million in 2025, an increase of nearly 11.7 million tourists, surpassing pre-COVID-19 pandemic levels, reflecting the accelerating pace of sector growth 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 international tourists reaching SAR 176.6 billion in 2025, achieving a 5% growth compared to 2024, reflecting the increased economic value of the sector and its growing role in supporting economic growth and diversifying income sources.

Regarding domestic tourism, the report confirmed that the local market continues to play a key role in sustaining the sector and enhancing its resilience, with domestic tourists reaching 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 expanding tourism options and products across the Kingdom's regions.

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

The report indicated 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 adapting to 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, as it reviews tourism policies and indicators in 53 countries and economies from OECD member states and partner economies, and provides an analysis of key trends and practices that contribute to enhancing sustainable growth and raising the sector's global competitiveness.