Logo ofMinister of Tourism
Hassan Jannah, Saudi Arabia’s Deputy Minister of Tourism for Data and Decision Support, said every SAR 100 in total tourism spending generates SAR 60 in direct contribution to the Kingdom’s gross domestic product (GDP), in addition to another SAR 100 in indirect GDP contribution. 
Speaking to CNBC Arabia, Jannah said 52% of international tourists visiting Saudi Arabia in 2025 traveled for non-religious purposes, noting that visitors traveling for religious purposes also benefit from all services provided by the tourism sector.
The tourism sector contributed 5.2% to Saudi Arabia’s GDP, while the average stay of international tourists reached 12 nights, with average spending of SAR 6,000 per visitor, compared to around SAR 1,360 for domestic tourists.
The official said continued government support for the sector, alongside regulatory and legislative reforms, as well as investments by the private sector and the Public Investment Fund (PIF), helped drive the record performance achieved in 2025, with some of these projects already beginning operations.
He added that the ministry is working with all government entities that provide services to tourists, whether directly or indirectly, noting that tourism’s impact extends beyond tourists’ direct spending by stimulating other sectors of the economy, thereby amplifying its economic contribution through the so-called indirect impact.
According to data available with Argaam, Saudi Arabia’s tourism sector posted positive performance in 2025, with the total number of tourists rising 5.8% year-on-year to 122.6 million, while tourism spending increased 7% to SAR 303.7 billion.
Logo ofMinister of Tourism
Hassan Jannah, Saudi Arabia’s Deputy Minister of Tourism for Data and Decision Support, said every SAR 100 in total tourism spending generates SAR 60 in direct contribution to the Kingdom’s gross domestic product (GDP), in addition to another SAR 100 in indirect GDP contribution.
Speaking to CNBC Arabia, Jannah said 52% of international tourists visiting Saudi Arabia in 2025 traveled for non-religious purposes, noting that visitors traveling for religious purposes also benefit from all services provided by the tourism sector.
The tourism sector contributed 5.2% to Saudi Arabia’s GDP, while the average stay of international tourists reached 12 nights, with average spending of SAR 6,000 per visitor, compared to around SAR 1,360 for domestic tourists.
The official said continued government support for the sector, alongside regulatory and legislative reforms, as well as investments by the private sector and the Public Investment Fund (PIF), helped drive the record performance achieved in 2025, with some of these projects already beginning operations.
He added that the ministry is working with all government entities that provide services to tourists, whether directly or indirectly, noting that tourism’s impact extends beyond tourists’ direct spending by stimulating other sectors of the economy, thereby amplifying its economic contribution through the so-called indirect impact.
According to data available with Argaam, Saudi Arabia’s tourism sector posted positive performance in 2025, with the total number of tourists rising 5.8% year-on-year to 122.6 million, while tourism spending increased 7% to SAR 303.7 billion.
