Saudi Arabia Welcomes 61.2M Tourists in H1 2026 as Kingdom Expands Global Travel Footprint

Driving the news: Saudi Tourism Minister Ahmed Al-Khateeb announced on Tuesday that the Kingdom welcomed about 61.2 million tourists in the first half of 2026. Visitors spent about SAR 151.9 billion ($40.5 billion) over the same period. Arrivals grew by about 1% year on year. Al-Khateeb made the announcement at the opening of the Saudi Land pavilion at World Travel Market (WTM) London 2026.

Why it matters: The Kingdom aims to welcome 150 million tourists a year by 2030. Moreover, the latest figures show a sector that keeps growing on an already high base.

Saudi Arabia Takes its Pitch to the Global Travel Trade

Thirty-seven partners from the public and private sectors joined the minister in London. Saudi Tourism Authority (STA) CEO Aqeel Al-Shaibani and RX Global’s Rachel Travers attended the opening. Stephanie Peacock, the UK Minister for Tourism, also appeared at the ceremony.

Al-Khateeb stressed that tourism needs resilience in a changing world. “This year Saudi tourism has demonstrated the strength of its foundations,” he said. He added: “We know the pressures our partners and travelers have faced, and our commitment to them is long term.”

He urged destinations to prepare for challenges before they arrive. Furthermore, he said resilience demands close cooperation between destinations and their travel partners. Saudi Arabia will deepen that cooperation through its London presence and the TOURISE platform, which works year-round rather than serving as a single annual summit.

Meanwhile, Al-Shaibani called global travel partners a core pillar of Saudi tourism growth. He said the authority is developing new commercial opportunities with tour operators, airlines and hospitality partners. In addition, hospitality capacity is growing in step with demand. Licensed room keys reached about 623,000 in the first half of 2026, and more than 44,000 of them belong to newly licensed properties.

By the numbers:

• 2 million: tourists in H1 2026, up about 1% year on year.
• SAR 151.9 billion ($40.5 billion): tourism spending in H1 2026.
• 150 million: annual tourist target for 2030.
• 623,000: licensed hotel keys in H1 2026.
• 44,000+: keys in newly licensed properties.
• 37: partners at the Saudi Land pavilion.
• 7: AMAALA resorts welcoming guests since June.
• 116 million: visitors in 2024.
• 9 million: domestic visitors in Q1 2026, up 16% year on year.
• SAR 34.7 billion ($9.3 billion): domestic tourism spending in Q1 2026.

Luxury and Entertainment Lead the Offer

Zoom in: The pavilion showcases Riyadh, Jeddah, AlUla, the Red Sea and AMAALA. It also features Riyadh Season, Winter at Tantora in AlUla, Red Sea resorts, and Qiddiya City facilities, including Six Flags, plus Roshn Front.

AMAALA, the luxury destination, has welcomed guests at seven resorts since June. Those resorts carry the Four Seasons, Six Senses, Rosewood and Namos brands. Consequently, Saudi Arabia is betting on AMAALA to attract new visitor segments, particularly in luxury tourism.

Beyond business meetings, the pavilion offers cultural experiences. Visitors can enjoy folk arts, traditional songs and Arabic calligraphy. These shows introduce Saudi heritage to the global travel trade.

From 100 Million to 150 Million

The big picture: Saudi Arabia has already passed its earlier goal of 100 million visits. It reached that mark seven years ahead of target. The Kingdom then recorded 116 million visitors in 2024 and 60.9 million in the first half of 2025.

Domestic travel adds momentum. Industry projections also put tourism’s 2025 contribution above $119 billion (about SAR 446 billion), over 10% of GDP, with 2.7 million jobs supported.

The Kingdom also scheduled the first WTM Spotlight in Riyadh for Sept. 29 to Oct. 1, 2026. These steps reflect a clear strategy: build destinations, expand hotel capacity and court the global trade. Likewise, a diverse product mix, from heritage sites to theme parks, widens the Kingdom’s appeal for travelers worldwide.

What’s next: The Saudi Land pavilion welcomes visitors at ExCeL London until 5 November. The participation aims to expand commercial partnerships and boost demand for Saudi destinations this winter and in upcoming seasons.

Then, the second edition of TOURISE takes place in Riyadh from 23 to 25 March, 2027. Ultimately, the push toward Vision 2030 goals continues, with 150 million visitors as the next milestone.