Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH — Saudi Arabia ranked first globally in international tourism revenue growth during the first quarter of 2025 compared to the same period in 2019, according to the May 2025 edition of the UN World Tourism Organization’s Tourism Barometer.

The Kingdom also secured third place worldwide in the growth of international tourist arrivals and ranked second in the Middle East during the same period.

Saudi Arabia recorded a 102% increase in international tourist arrivals in Q1 2025 compared to Q1 2019, significantly surpassing the global average growth rate of 3% and the Middle East’s rate of 44%.

The performance underscores the Kingdom’s growing leadership in both the regional and global tourism landscape.