Riyadh: Minister of Tourism Ahmed Al-Khateeb announced that Saudi Arabia's tourism sector witnessed significant growth in 2025, breaking records in both spending and visitor numbers, and emerging as a key driver of the nation's economic transformation. At the Ministerial Panel titled "When Government Works for Business" during the Public Investment Fund (PIF) Private Sector Forum, Al-Khateeb attributed these achievements to the ambitious goals set by Saudi Vision 2030, which seeks to diversify the economy beyond its traditional sectors.
According to Saudi Press Agency, the tourism sector's contribution to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) has increased from 3.5% in 2019 to 5% at present, with a future target of 10%. Employment in the sector has also surged, surpassing one million jobs, up from approximately 750,000. The minister underscored the global impact of tourism as a major job creator, contributing about 10% to the global economy. He also pointed out the importance of local content in partnerships involving the Ministry of Tourism, the PIF, and other stakeholders, highlighting ongoing opportunities for private sector engagement.
The sector aims to elevate its GDP contribution from SAR300 billion to SAR600 billion, while continuing to generate jobs as the private sector hires national talent. Al-Khateeb noted that the PIF is actively engaged in the development of major tourist destinations, such as the Red Sea and Qiddiya projects, to attract investment and establish infrastructure that facilitates private-sector involvement in hotels and tourism experiences.
In conclusion, Al-Khateeb emphasized that the government, through the PIF, is committed to enhancing the tourism business environment by offering incentives and financing via the Tourism Development Fund. Upcoming major events, including international exhibitions and sports competitions, are expected to boost tourism to 150 million visitors, encouraging investors to seize the available opportunities.