Saudi tourism sector creates over one million jobs as Vision 2030 targets accelerate
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Saudi Arabia’s tourism sector generated more than one million jobs by the end of August 2025, underscoring the industry’s growing role as a pillar of the Kingdom’s economic transformation, according to Minister of Tourism Ahmed Al Khateeb.
In an article published on Monday via the official Saudi Vision 2030 account on X, Al Khateeb said employment growth spanned a wide range of sectors, including hospitality, travel services, food and beverage, transport, and related tourism-linked industries.
He noted that tourism has emerged as a key driver of national development under the Vision 2030 program, supporting economic diversification and job creation while reducing reliance on oil revenues.
The sector contributed around 5 percent of Saudi Arabia’s GDP in 2024, with plans in place to double its contribution to 10 percent by 2030, reflecting sustained investment in destinations, infrastructure, and global tourism promotion.
Saudi Arabia welcomed approximately 116 million domestic and international visitors in 2024, significantly surpassing its original Vision 2030 target of 100 million tourists a milestone achieved seven years ahead of schedule.
Officials say the rapid growth highlights the success of reforms across visas, entertainment, heritage tourism, and mega-projects, positioning the Kingdom as one of the fastest-growing tourism markets globally.
