Saudi Arabia is not just chasing big tourism goals—it’s smashing them. The Kingdom surpassed its original target of 100 million visitors years ahead of schedule. Now it’s setting its sights even higher: 150 million by 2030. In the near term, 41 million international tourists are expected, and this explosive growth is fueling a booming demand for expert Saudi tourism consulting services.
Saudi Tourism Update
In 2024 alone, international arrivals hit 29.7 million, nearly doubling from 18 million in 2016. Domestic travel also soared to 86.2 million. Even more striking, international tourism revenue jumped 148% in 2024 compared to pre-pandemic levels, the highest surge among G20 nations.
Behind this momentum lies a massive national transformation. Over $800 billion is being poured into projects reshaping Saudi Arabia’s tourism landscape—from mega cities to cultural heritage hubs. These large-scale ventures aren’t plug-and-play. They require precise planning, risk analysis, operational expertise, and global market alignment. This is where tourism consulting firms step in.
As Vision 2030 reshapes the economy, consulting services are gaining serious ground. The Saudi consulting market expanded by 38% in 2022, 25% in 2023, and is projected to grow another 13% in 2025. Demand for tourism activity licenses surged by 390% in 2023 alone. This sharp increase signals a rush of new operators needing strategic guidance, feasibility studies, brand positioning, and regulatory navigation.
Saudi Arabia’s Tourism Investment Enabler Program (TIEP) is expected to drive SAR 42 billion ($11 billion) in private investments and generate SAR 16 billion ($4 billion) in annual GDP by 2030. Consultants play a key role in attracting these investors and turning visions into viable, high-impact destinations.
Direct tourism spending also climbed 14% in 2024, reaching SAR 256 billion ($68.26 billion), with sector growth forecasted at 8% in 2025. This growth isn’t happening in a vacuum. It’s supported by aggressive regulatory and infrastructural upgrades.
The government passed 24 new regulations to strengthen the Saudi Tourism Authority, streamline marketing, and foster stronger ties between public and private players. In a move to attract more entrepreneurs and partners, the Ministry of Tourism slashed annual government fees by nearly 22%. By 2025, the Tourism Investment One Stop Shop will launch, giving investors a single-window support system.
On the logistics front, the King Salman International Airport will accommodate over 120 million travelers annually, and the launch of Riyadh Air will connect Saudi Arabia to 100+ global destinations. These changes are not just improving access—they’re boosting confidence in the Kingdom’s tourism ambitions.
All of this translates to one thing: Saudi tourism consulting is no longer a niche. It’s a central pillar of the country’s development strategy. As the visitor count climbs and mega-projects multiply, demand for smart, scalable tourism solutions will only grow. Consultants are no longer on the sidelines—they’re part of the engine driving the future of Saudi tourism.
Read also: Tourism to Double Saudi GDP Share as Kingdom Targets 150M Visitors
