Saudi Arabia Tops Global Tourism Revenue Growth in Q1 2025
The Quality of Life Program's latest report also recorded SR 78 billion in GDP contribution and 387,000 jobs created.
Saudi Arabia recorded the world's highest growth in international tourism receipts during the first quarter of 2025, according to the Quality of Life Program 2025 Annual Report, which also found the programme contributed SAR 78 billion to the Kingdom's gross domestic product.
The report said the programme helped create 387,000 jobs, generated SAR 21.8 billion in non-government investment and increased the local content ratio to 44%, surpassing its target of 37%.
Tourism was among the programme's strongest-performing sectors. More than 32 million domestic and international visitors travelled across Saudi Arabia during the summer season, a 26% increase compared to the previous year, while tourism spending exceeded SAR 53.2 billion, up 15%.
International tourist arrivals to the Kingdom rose 102%, outperforming the global growth rate of 3% and the Middle East average of 44%. The increase placed Saudi Arabia third globally and second regionally for growth in international tourist arrivals.
The report also highlighted progress across several other sectors. The newly launched Global Quality of Life Index attracted participation from more than 90 cities across 35 countries and has been incorporated into the strategic plan of the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat). Citizen satisfaction with municipal services reached 85%, exceeding the programme's target of 74%.
