Minister of Tourism Ahmed Al-Khateeb said that tourism accounted for around 3.5% of Saudi GDP in 2019, rising to 5% in 2025.
Saudi Arabia possesses the potential required for building a globally competitive tourism industry, spanning religious and business activity, in addition to other purposes, Minister of Tourism Ahmed Al-Khateeb said. 
Speaking during a panel discussion at the PIF Private Sector Forum, Alkhateeb noted that tourism accounted for around 3.5% of Saudi GDP in 2019, rising to 5% in 2025.
He added that tourism is among the world’s largest job-creating sectors, highlighting that employment in the Kingdom’s tourism industry has surpassed one million.
The Public Investment Fund (PIF) and the private sector have committed tourism investments estimated at around SAR 450 billion between 2020 and 2030.
Over the last few years, the PIF has led developing destinations that would have been difficult for the private sector to undertake independently, given the scale of capital required and the need for integrated infrastructure from scratch, Alkhateeb explained, citing projects such as the Red Sea Islands and Qiddiya.
The completion of infrastructure at these projects opens the door for private sector participation, enabling investors to develop hotels, commercial facilities, and visitor experiences that meet the needs of both tourists and residents.
Minister of Tourism Ahmed Al-Khateeb said that tourism accounted for around 3.5% of Saudi GDP in 2019, rising to 5% in 2025.
Saudi Arabia possesses the potential required for building a globally competitive tourism industry, spanning religious and business activity, in addition to other purposes, Minister of Tourism Ahmed Al-Khateeb said.
Speaking during a panel discussion at the PIF Private Sector Forum, Alkhateeb noted that tourism accounted for around 3.5% of Saudi GDP in 2019, rising to 5% in 2025.
He added that tourism is among the world’s largest job-creating sectors, highlighting that employment in the Kingdom’s tourism industry has surpassed one million.
The Public Investment Fund (PIF) and the private sector have committed tourism investments estimated at around SAR 450 billion between 2020 and 2030.
Over the last few years, the PIF has led developing destinations that would have been difficult for the private sector to undertake independently, given the scale of capital required and the need for integrated infrastructure from scratch, Alkhateeb explained, citing projects such as the Red Sea Islands and Qiddiya.
The completion of infrastructure at these projects opens the door for private sector participation, enabling investors to develop hotels, commercial facilities, and visitor experiences that meet the needs of both tourists and residents.
