Welcome to everyone following our grand transformation! If we look back just a few years, our dream was to reach 100 million visitors by 2030, a figure that some back then considered overly ambitious or difficult to achieve. However, as we find ourselves in the middle of 2026, Saudi Arabia has proven that its ceiling of ambition is nothing less than the sky itself. We are now talking about a new target—150 million visitors—and the heart-warming surprise is that we are on the verge of hitting this milestone years ahead of the original schedule. If you walk through the streets of Riyadh today, wander the historic alleys of Jeddah, or take a tour of the Red Sea resorts, you will hear every language in the world. Tourism in our Kingdom has become the “new oil” and a success story being studied globally. Today, we discuss how we reached this legendary stage of development and international appeal.
The secret behind these multimillion figures isn’t just luxury buildings; it lies in the “diversity” that leaves tourists spoiled for choice. In 2026, Saudi Arabia offers a comprehensive experience that cannot be found in any other country. Are you looking for historical tourism and ancient ruins? You have “AlUla,” which has become a global icon with its open-air museums and hotels carved into mountains, making you feel as though you are on another planet. Do you want luxury and the sea? The Red Sea Project and islands like “Sindalah” and “Sheybarah” are now competing with—and even surpassing—the Maldives and the French Riviera by offering “regenerative” tourism that preserves the environment while pampering guests with the latest comfort and luxury technologies. This diversity has attracted families, youth, and adventurers from every corner of the globe, placing Saudi Arabia at the top of their annual travel lists.
We cannot overlook the monumental role played by “Riyadh Air” in 2026. The airline now connects Riyadh to over 100 international destinations with a fleet of state-of-the-art aircraft, offering a service that allows tourists to experience Saudi hospitality from the moment they step on board. This seamless air connectivity, combined with the ease of obtaining an “E-Tourist Visa” via smartphone in less than a minute, has broken down all barriers. Tourists now feel that reaching Saudi Arabia is easier than traveling to a neighboring city. Furthermore, the “Riyadh Metro” is now operating at full capacity, transporting tourists from the airport to the heart of “Riyadh Season” events with ease, eliminating any worries about traffic congestion.
What makes us truly proud in 2026 is the “Saudi person.” The “Hafawah” (Hospitality) program launched by the Ministry of Tourism has borne fruit; today, Saudi men and women are the ones managing hotels, serving as tour guides, and offering Saudi coffee with a welcoming smile in every corner. When tourists return to their home countries, they don’t just talk about the “Mirrors” in AlUla or the “Towers” in Riyadh; they speak of the generosity and kindness of the Saudi people. This “investment in people” is what has led the tourism sector to contribute more than 10% to the GDP in 2026. Tourism jobs have become the dream and future for thousands of graduates, strengthening our national economy and making it diverse, resilient, and independent of oil price fluctuations.
Can Saudi Arabia truly accommodate 150 million visitors in terms of hotels and infrastructure? Absolutely, and with full confidence! In 2026, we witnessed the opening of thousands of new hotel rooms, not just in major cities but also in heritage villages and the mountainous regions of Asir. The infrastructure and airports have expanded in a way that ensures the flow of tourist crowds remains highly efficient. Digital services now cover every inch of the country, meaning a tourist can manage all their needs directly from their smartphone with total ease.
Which destinations attracted the most tourists in 2026? Riyadh led the scene thanks to “Riyadh Season” and “Qiddiya,” but “AlUla” and “NEOM” captured the lion’s share of travelers seeking unique and exclusive experiences. We must also not forget “Asir,” which in 2026 became a premier global summer destination due to its cool climate and the “Soudah Peaks” project, which now rivals mountain resorts in Europe.
In concluding our tour of the Saudi tourism world in 2026, we can say that the dream we once held has become a reality we can touch in the faces of our visitors and the strength of our economy. Saudi Arabia today is the beating heart of the world, a destination for adventurers and those seeking beauty and authenticity. Reaching the target of 150 million visitors ahead of schedule is the greatest proof that when we say “Vision,” we mean “action,” “achievement,” and “reality.” Congratulations to every Saudi man and woman on this success. The promise is that we will continue to dazzle the world, because our ambition truly knows no limits, and what comes next will be even stronger and more beautiful, God willing.
