The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) released the "Tourism Trends and Policies 2026" report, which reflected the rapid growth and qualitative achievements of the tourism sector in the Kingdom, enhancing 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.

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Accelerating growth

The report stated that the number of foreign tourist arrivals rose from 17.5 million tourists in 2019 to 29.3 million tourists in 2025, an increase of about 11.8 million tourists, exceeding pre-COVID-19 pandemic levels, reflecting the accelerating pace of the sector's growth and its recovery momentum outpacing many global markets. The report also noted that inbound tourism continues to strengthen its economic contribution, with total spending by foreign tourists reaching SAR 176.6 billion in 2025, achieving a 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. In domestic tourism, the report confirmed that the local market continues to play its role as a key pillar for the sustainability and resilience of the sector, with the number of 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 local demand and the expansion of tourism options and products across various regions of the Kingdom.

Developing the tourism sector

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 talents.

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 and resilient tourism sector capable of keeping pace with global changes.

The "Tourism Trends and Policies 2026" report is one of the most prominent international specialized reports monitoring the performance of the tourism sector, as 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 global competitiveness.