Saudi Arabia’s hospitality industry is entering a dynamic new phase of expansion, with around 94,500 hotel rooms currently under construction or in the final stages of planning. This growth builds on an existing base of 171,650 rooms, reflecting the rapid transformation underway across the Kingdom’s travel and tourism landscape.

The latest Saudi Report by global property consultancy Knight Frank highlights how the sector’s evolution mirrors the country’s wider economic diversification, with 2024 marking a particularly strong year as travel and tourism grew by 32 percent.

Robust performance and record spending

According to Oussama El Kadiri, Partner and Head of Hospitality, Tourism & Leisure Advisory for MENA at Knight Frank, the market’s momentum is being fueled by a mix of government-led reforms, private sector investment, and changing consumer behaviors.

In 2024, the tourism sector contributed SAR444.3 billion to the Saudi economy, accounting for 11.5 percent of GDP, the highest proportion in the region. Early 2025 figures continue that trend, with international visitor spending rising 9.7 percent year-on-year to SAR49.4 billion, and total tourism expenditure reaching SAR284 billion, up 11 percent.

Saudi Arabia welcomed 29.7 million international visitors in 2024—an 8 percent increase—alongside 86.2 million domestic trips, up 5 percent from the year before. International travelers accounted for SAR169 billion of total spending, a 19 percent jump compared to 2023.

“Saudi Arabia’s tourism scene is evolving fast, powered by higher-value travelers and world-class hospitality projects being delivered under Vision 2030,” said Faisal Durrani, Partner and Head of Research, MENA at Knight Frank. “The government has now raised its 2030 target from 100 million to 150 million annual visitors, with religious tourism expected to make up about one-third of that figure.”

Religious and leisure travel on the rise

Religious tourism remains the backbone of the market. In 2024, the Kingdom hosted 1.8 million Hajj pilgrims and 35.7 million Umrah pilgrims, including 16.9 million international visitors—a 25 percent increase and the highest number ever recorded.

At the same time, leisure travel is expanding rapidly. Non-religious international travelers now account for 59 percent of arrivals, up from 44 percent in 2019. Spending on holiday and leisure trips alone reached SAR36.4 billion in 2024.

Asia continues to lead as the top source region with 9.7 million visitors, followed by Egypt (3.2 million), Pakistan (2.8 million), and Bahrain (2.6 million).

Expanding hotel supply

Between January and August 2025, the average daily hotel rate nudged up to SAR746 ($199), while occupancy levels rose to 61 percent, pushing revenue per available room up by 1.3 percent. By September 2025, Saudi Arabia’s total quality hotel inventory reached 171,650 rooms, with an additional 18 percent increase expected by 2027.

Nationwide, about 358,000 new hotel rooms are in the pipeline. Four major “mega-projects” are leading this expansion, particularly in the holy cities and key urban centers:

• Rua Al Haram – over 70,000 keys

• Rua Al Madinah – around 47,000 keys

• Knowledge Economic City – about 42,000 keys

• Masar Makkah – roughly 41,000 keys

Domestic travel trends

Domestic tourism remains the largest segment, with Saudi citizens making up 74.3 percent of visitors in 2024. Roughly one in three Saudis travels within the Kingdom every two to three months, a number that rises to half among those earning more than SAR80,000 monthly.

Staycations are now a major trend:

• 36 percent favor long weekend trips (4–6 days)

• 20 percent take full-week stays

• 67 percent of high earners prefer 7–10-day getaways

Since 2019, around 250,000 Saudis have relocated to Riyadh, largely due to the city’s strong job market—it has accounted for two-thirds of new employment opportunities since then.

Favorite domestic destinations include:

• Makkah – the most visited city (42%)

• Riyadh – most popular among high earners (61%), tied with Jeddah (40%) as key business and cultural centers

• Dammam Metropolitan Area – 16 percent

• Abha (24%), Taif (22%), and Al-Ula (20%) – appreciated for their cooler climate and heritage attractions

Rising demand for high-end hospitality

Currently, around 60 percent of Saudi Arabia’s hotel rooms fall under luxury, upper-upscale, or upscale categories—a share expected to rise to 76 percent by 2030. This shift reflects growing consumer preferences, with 83 percent of travelers favoring four- or five-star stays.

Serviced apartments have also gained popularity, representing 22 percent of total stays, while resorts have grown to 11 percent, helped by ongoing Red Sea projects that will add about 8,000 rooms by 2030.

El Kadiri summed up the trend, saying:
“Saudi Arabia’s tourism and leisure industry is on the verge of historic change. By merging pilgrimage, heritage, and modern leisure experiences, the Kingdom is building a tourism identity where luxury meets authenticity—and ambition meets results.”

International travel with a partner is often seen as a romantic experience, but it can also bring physical and emotional challenges. Long hours on flights, homesickness, jet lag, food-related discomfort, and travel pressure can affect even well-planned holidays. To avoid unnecessary tension, couples may benefit from taking smaller trips within their own country before planning a major overseas journey.

One useful starting point is spending an entire day traveling together. Couples who have never gone on a day-long outing can consider taking a long drive or visiting a nearby destination during weekends. Such short excursions can serve as practical preparation for future international travel.

Travel experts also note that there is a significant difference between casual city outings and multi-day trips. Visiting destinations such as mountains, beaches, or forests for several days can help travelers adapt to outdoor activities, unfamiliar meals, and physically demanding schedules. These experiences may also reveal how both partners respond emotionally during travel and how much they enjoy shared adventures.

Another important aspect of traveling together is accepting that not everything will go according to plan. Accommodation costs may be higher than expected, planned activities could be missed, or internet connectivity may not work properly. Couples are advised not to blame each other for such inconveniences and instead focus on making the most of their time together with a practical mindset.

Maintaining personal space during a trip can also improve the overall experience. Spending every moment together is not always necessary. If one partner prefers exploring alone for a while or wants to pursue a personal interest, the other should be supportive. Allowing occasional independent time can help both individuals stay relaxed and enjoy the journey more.

Experts further recommend sharing travel responsibilities rather than placing all the pressure on one person. Before traveling, one partner can research destinations and accommodation options while the other prepares the budget and expense plan. Dividing tasks equally can reduce stress and help both travelers remain comfortable and positive throughout the trip.

Source: Hindustan Times.

People travel for many reasons, whether to reach a destination or simply to explore new places. In many cases, journeys involve companions of different age groups, including elderly family members who require additional care and attention.

When traveling with older adults, patience and empathy are essential. Tasks that may seem simple to younger travelers can be challenging for seniors. Caregivers are advised not to lose patience if elderly parents or grandparents struggle with routine activities or move more slowly than expected. Fatigue during walking or the inability to visit certain locations may also occur. In such situations, frustration should be avoided, and leaving them alone while continuing sightseeing is not considered appropriate.

Health preparation is another important aspect. Essential medications should always be carried during travel. It is also helpful to keep a record of medical history, including recent test reports, blood group information, previous surgeries, and vaccination history. While physical documents are useful, digital copies stored on a phone can serve the same purpose in most cases.

Elderly travelers may also face difficulties using facilities such as aircraft or transport restrooms. Clear guidance and patient assistance can help them manage these situations more comfortably.

Advance seat reservations are strongly recommended for train, bus, or air travel. Some service providers offer special arrangements or benefits when passengers’ ages are declared during booking. Travelers are encouraged to review available options carefully before purchasing tickets. If mobility is limited, wheelchair assistance can often be requested from airlines or transport services, but this should be arranged in advance at the time of booking.

Long journeys can also lead to physical discomfort, particularly swelling in the feet due to prolonged sitting. To reduce such risks, compression socks that extend up to the knee are often recommended as they support blood circulation. Comfortable footwear is equally important to ensure ease throughout the trip.

Air travel for international passengers is expected to become more expensive this year due to ongoing geopolitical tensions, including the situation in Iran, and broader global economic pressures. Higher jet fuel prices have already led several airlines to reduce routes or introduce additional fuel surcharges. In response, travelers are increasingly turning to mobile apps designed to help identify lower-cost tickets and time-sensitive deals.

A range of platforms now offer fare alerts, price forecasting, and booking tools aimed at helping users reduce travel expenses.

Going

Going is a widely used flight alert service that notifies users via email or app notifications when fares drop on selected routes. The company claims discounts can reach up to 90 percent compared to standard prices. Many users reportedly save an average of 550 dollars on economy tickets. The free version offers limited alerts, primarily for US-based routes, while premium users receive expanded international deal notifications, including economy, business, and first-class offers. The elite subscription costs 199 dollars per year.

Skyscanner

Skyscanner provides a free app available on both Android and iOS devices. Users can set alerts for specific routes and travel dates, while also comparing prices across hundreds of airlines. Its calendar and chart tools help visualize fare changes over time. The platform also highlights lower-emission flight options and allows users to compare prices from different departure airports. Once a flight is selected, users are redirected to third-party booking sites. The app also supports hotel and car rental searches.

Dollar Flight Club

Dollar Flight Club offers fare alerts based on selected airports. Free members receive limited notifications, while premium users can choose up to four departure airports and ten destinations for economy flight alerts. Premium membership costs 69 dollars per year, while Premium Plus is priced at 99 dollars annually. The company states that members can access discounts of up to 90 percent from their home airports.

Hopper

Hopper focuses on helping users decide when to book flights through predictive pricing technology. The app analyzes historical data to forecast whether fares are likely to rise or fall. While the app itself is free to download, certain features such as flexible cancellation options require additional fees. Its main appeal lies in guiding travelers on the best time to purchase tickets.

Kiwi.com

Kiwi.com operates on both Android and iOS platforms, offering users access to low-cost travel combinations and airline deals. It allows searches from a single airport across multiple destinations, making it useful for flexible travelers. The app also provides mobile boarding passes and airport maps. Members of its Kiwi.com Club loyalty program may receive vouchers worth up to 580 dollars.

Other tools

Frequent travelers may also consider ExpertFlyer for advanced fare tracking and flight availability alerts. Business travelers often use MyRiva, which focuses on managing frequent international travel needs and bookings.

Air travelers looking to make long journeys more comfortable are often advised to pay close attention to seat selection, as even minor differences in location can affect overall comfort.

Seats positioned directly over the wings are generally considered more stable, as passengers tend to experience less turbulence in that section of the aircraft. For those prioritizing sleep, it is also recommended to avoid seats near galleys and lavatories, where noise and movement are more frequent. In fact, sitting in the very last rows is often discouraged for this reason.

A commonly suggested strategy is choosing seats around the fifth row from either the front or the rear of the cabin. Seats toward the front typically offer quicker disembarkation after landing and may increase the chances of preferred meal options. Meanwhile, passengers seated farther back still receive meal service efficiently, as cabin crew usually distribute food from both ends of the aircraft. However, the rear section is generally associated with stronger sensations of turbulence.

Some aircraft also provide complimentary snack baskets in cabin galleys. In premium cabins, passengers may find additional comfort items such as eye masks, socks, snacks, and sweets available on request or in dedicated service areas. Similar, though more limited, conveniences are sometimes available in economy class but often go unnoticed by travelers.

Source: Daily Mail

Whether travelling within the country or abroad, keeping a basic first aid kit on hand is considered an important part of safe travel planning. Medical professionals recommend including supplies that can help manage minor injuries, infections, allergies, and common health concerns while on the move.

Travel first aid kits are widely available in stores, though many travelers also choose to assemble their own kits based on personal needs and destinations.

According to guidance referenced from the Cleveland Clinic, a standard travel first aid kit should contain several essential items.

Disinfectant wipes can be useful for cleaning hands and sanitising frequently used items. Travelers are also advised to carry hand sanitiser containing at least 60 percent alcohol, particularly for cleaning hands before touching cuts or wounds.

Pain relief medication is recommended for headaches, muscle strain, or minor injuries that may occur during travel. Aloe vera gel can also be included to help soothe sunburn and skin irritation caused by heat exposure.

Antibiotic ointment is another key item, especially for treating small cuts before applying bandages. Liquid antiseptics, including sprays or wipes, may help clean dirt and germs from minor wounds.

Experts further advise carrying bandages in different sizes, along with gauze pads and a gauze roll for larger injuries where regular bandages may not be sufficient. Medical tape is also necessary to secure gauze to the skin.

In addition, travellers are encouraged to pack essential medicines such as antacids, anti-diarrhoea tablets, antihistamines, cold and flu remedies, cough suppressants, anti-nausea medication, oral saline solution, and nasal spray.