Logo ofMinistry of Tourism
Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Tourism stated that the Kingdom achieved a record balance of payment (BoP) surplus of approximately SAR 26.8 billion for travel in Q1 2025, compared with a year earlier, driven by a significant increase in spending by international visitors. 
Spending by inbound tourists reached a record SAR 49.4 billion in Q1 2025, marking a 10% increase compared to Q1 2024.
Travel surplus grew by 12% year-on-year (YoY), the ministry said, citing data from the Saudi Central Bank (SAMA).
Travel surplus represents the difference between the spending of inbound and outbound travelers.
Spending by outbound tourists reached SAR 22.6 billion by the end of March 2025, up from SAR 21 billion a year earlier,as shown in the following table:
Travel Item Details in BoP in Q1 2025 (SAR bln)
Q1 2024
Q1 2025
Change
Spending by Inbound Tourists
45.0
49.4
10%
Spending by Outbound Travelers*
21.0
22.6
8%
Surplus
24.0
26.8
12%
*Spending by Saudis andresidents in the Kingdom
The following table shows travel item in BoP since 2016:
Travel Item Details in BoP since 2016 (SAR bln)
Spending by Inbound Tourists
Spending by Outbound Travelers*
Surplus/Deficit
2016
41.6
62.5
(20.9)
2017
45.2
65.8
(20.6)
2018
51.7
62.4
(10.7)
2019
61.6
56.8
+4.8
2020
15.1
33.2
(18.1)
2021
14.3
45.7
(31.4)
2022
94.5
59.7
+ 34.8
2023
135.0
88.8
+ 46.2
2024
153.6
103.8
+ 49.8
Q1 2025
49.4
22.6
+ 26.8
Logo ofMinistry of Tourism
Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Tourism stated that the Kingdom achieved a record balance of payment (BoP) surplus of approximately SAR 26.8 billion for travel in Q1 2025, compared with a year earlier, driven by a significant increase in spending by international visitors.
Spending by inbound tourists reached a record SAR 49.4 billion in Q1 2025, marking a 10% increase compared to Q1 2024.
Travel surplus grew by 12% year-on-year (YoY), the ministry said, citing data from the Saudi Central Bank (SAMA).
Travel surplus represents the difference between the spending of inbound and outbound travelers.
Spending by outbound tourists reached SAR 22.6 billion by the end of March 2025, up from SAR 21 billion a year earlier,as shown in the following table:
Travel Item Details in BoP in Q1 2025 (SAR bln)
Q1 2024
Q1 2025
Change
Spending by Inbound Tourists
45.0
49.4
10%
Spending by Outbound Travelers*
21.0
22.6
8%
Surplus
24.0
26.8
12%
*Spending by Saudis andresidents in the Kingdom
The following table shows travel item in BoP since 2016:
Travel Item Details in BoP since 2016 (SAR bln)
Spending by Inbound Tourists
Spending by Outbound Travelers*
Surplus/Deficit
2016
41.6
62.5
(20.9)
2017
45.2
65.8
(20.6)
2018
51.7
62.4
(10.7)
2019
61.6
56.8
+4.8
2020
15.1
33.2
(18.1)
2021
14.3
45.7
(31.4)
2022
94.5
59.7
+ 34.8
2023
135.0
88.8
+ 46.2
2024
153.6
103.8
+ 49.8
Q1 2025
49.4
22.6
+ 26.8
