Saudi Arabia Welcomes Millions of Tourists in H1 2025: What You Need to Know

Saudi Arabia witnessed a robust performance in its tourism sector during the first half of 2025, attracting a combined total of 60.9 million local and international visitors. According to data released by the Ministry of Tourism, total tourism spending for this period surpassed SR 161.4 billion, marking a four percent increase over the same timeframe in 2024. These figures reflect the continued growth and diversification of the Kingdom’s travel industry, driven by strategic investments, expanded infrastructure, and evolving visitor preferences aligned with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2035 objectives.

The data further revealed that the average length of stay for inbound tourists was approximately 6.7 nights, while domestic travelers exhibited significantly longer stays, averaging 18.6 nights. Traveler motivations were predominantly centered around leisure, shopping, and sports engagements, followed by religious tourism and family visits. This mix underscores the wide-ranging appeal of Saudi Arabia as a destination catering to diverse traveler segments with varied interests.

Dominant Destinations and Regional Tourism Dynamics

Among inbound visitors, Makkah and Madinah remain unrivaled as the Kingdom’s top cultural and religious tourism hubs, drawing millions due to their unparalleled significance in Islamic heritage. These cities continue to be the primary magnets for international arrivals, especially during pilgrimage seasons.

For domestic tourism, the spotlight falls on Riyadh and the Eastern Province, which lead in attracting residents traveling within the country. Riyadh’s growing urban and cultural offerings and the Eastern Province’s coastal attractions contribute significantly to this domestic travel surge, reflecting efforts to develop tourism beyond traditional pilgrimage sites.

Key Source Markets Driving Visitor Inflows

Analysis of source markets shows that Egypt, Pakistan, and Kuwait constitute the three largest origins of inbound tourists to Saudi Arabia in H1 2025, followed by substantial visitor numbers from India and Indonesia. This regional dominance highlights strong cultural and economic ties, as well as the effectiveness of targeted visa facilitation and tourism promotion within neighboring and nearby countries.

The diversity of these source markets boosts Saudi Arabia’s tourism resilience, as growing air connectivity and regional cooperation offer sustained visitor flows year-round.

Accommodation Preferences Reflect Broad Travel Needs

The Kingdom’s evolving hospitality landscape meets visitor demands with a variety of accommodation types. Data indicate that hotels account for forty-three percent of overall lodging choices, favored by both business and leisure travelers for their range of services and amenities.

Following hotels, furnished apartments and private residences constitute a significant part of the accommodation mix, especially catering to longer-term visitors, families, and those seeking more independent experiences. This variety aligns with increased interest in extended stays and multifunctional travel purposes.

Economic Significance and Strategic Outlook

Saudi Arabia’s tourism growth is a critical driver of its economic diversification strategy. The increase in visitor numbers and spending supports broader goals to expand non-oil revenues and create jobs across hospitality, transport, retail, and cultural sectors. The ongoing development of iconic projects such as AlUla and enhancement of pilgrimage infrastructure further consolidate the Kingdom’s dual reputation as a heritage-rich and modern destination.

In parallel, streamlined digital visa platforms and improved international air connectivity underpin Saudi Arabia’s accessibility, making it more attractive to global travelers seeking new cultural experiences, leisure options, and business opportunities in the Middle East.

Tourism Transfers Ahead of Global Events

With international events such as the 2026 FIFA World Cup on the horizon, Saudi Arabia is positioned to capitalize on expected increases in tourism traffic. Enhanced infrastructure and services will be essential to accommodate the rising demand and sustain long-term growth.

Efforts to diversify into sports, cultural, and eco-tourism beyond pilgrimage are also creating fresh appeal among younger travelers, international tourists, and families, helping mitigate seasonality and broaden the destination’s global pull.

Saudi Arabia’s strong tourism performance in early 2025 reflects a broadly diversified and expanding visitor economy supported by priority cultural destinations, strategic market outreach, and significant investment in infrastructure, positioning the Kingdom for sustained growth in a competitive global tourism landscape.

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AlUla in Saudi Arabia Named Middle East’s Leading Cultural Tourism Project 2025, Securing Triple World Travel Awards: All You Need to Know

Continuing its remarkable ascent as a premier cultural destination, AlUla has once again been honored with multiple prestigious awards at the World Travel Awards 2025. The historic oasis city received recognition as the Middle East’s Leading Cultural Tourism Project, Middle East’s Leading Festival and Event Destination, and Saudi Arabia’s Leading Cultural Tourism Project, marking its second consecutive year securing top honors in these categories. These accolades underscore AlUla’s surge in popularity since its public opening in 2019 and its critical role in Saudi Arabia’s strategy to diversify its economy through cultural tourism.

A Unique UNESCO Heritage Site with Ancient Roots

Set in a dramatic desert landscape of giant sandstone formations and archaeological treasures, AlUla offers visitors an immersive journey into over two hundred thousand years of human history and seven thousand years of continuous civilization. The city is home to Hegra (Madain Salih), Saudi Arabia’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site, renowned worldwide for its impressively preserved Nabataean tombs and sprawling ancient city ruins.

AlUla’s unique combination of profound historical significance and visually striking natural beauty has cemented its status as a key attraction for travelers seeking rich cultural experiences in a secure and sophisticated setting. The preservation efforts and sophisticated visitor infrastructure position it as one of the Middle East’s signature heritage destinations.

Festivals and Events Driving Tourism Growth

Central to AlUla’s vibrant tourism scene are its high-profile festivals and cultural events, fostering both visitor engagement and local economic impact. The Winter at Tantora festival, scheduled from December 8 to January 10, stands out as the flagship festival, showcasing weeks of musical performances, art installations, and immersive sensory experiences. The event draws international audiences and performers, amplifying AlUla’s reputation as not only a historic site but also a dynamic cultural hub.

These festivities provide an ideal platform for blending tradition with modernity, attracting diverse traveler demographics, from leisure tourists and cultural enthusiasts to artists and innovators, thus expanding AlUla’s global reach.

Strategic Importance Within Saudi Vision 2030

AlUla’s rise as a leading cultural tourism project aligns closely with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, an ambitious initiative to diversify the kingdom’s economic base and reduce dependence on oil revenues by promoting tourism, culture, and heritage. By leveraging AlUla’s extraordinary archaeological assets and desert landscapes, Saudi Arabia aims to establish itself as a global cultural destination.

The World Travel Awards recognition reinforces confidence in AlUla’s sustainable growth model, encouraging further investment in infrastructure, hospitality, and environmental conservation. This development benefits not only the local community through job creation and economic diversification but also elevates Saudi Arabia’s public image internationally.

The Global Impact of AlUla’s Success

Capturing multiple major accolades at the World Travel Awards, which recognize excellence in the travel and hospitality sectors since 1993, boosts AlUla’s appeal among global travelers and industry stakeholders. It signals a maturation of Saudi Arabia’s cultural tourism offering, reflecting high standards of visitor experience, heritage preservation, and event management.

Enhanced global visibility is anticipated to catalyze increased tourist inflows, contributing substantially to the kingdom’s foreign exchange earnings and fostering cultural diplomacy. As AlUla continues to develop, it serves as a benchmark for cultural tourism’s role in economic transformation across the Middle East.

The acclaimed AlUla cultural tourism project continues to reshape Saudi Arabia’s tourism landscape, presenting a compelling vision that melds ancient history with contemporary culture and sustainable development, and positioning the kingdom at the forefront of Middle East heritage tourism.

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Grand Egyptian Museum Opens in Cairo Near Pyramids, Heralding New Era for Cultural Tourism in Egypt: What You Need to Know

After a prolonged construction period spanning nearly two decades, the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) officially opened its doors near the Pyramids of Giza, presenting one of the world’s richest and most comprehensive collections of Egyptian antiquities. The inauguration, attended by global dignitaries including prime ministers, presidents, and royalty, marks a pivotal moment for Egypt’s cultural heritage sector and its global tourism ambitions.

The opening ceremony featured dazzling displays, including traditional dance performances and a sophisticated multimedia show, symbolizing a new chapter in Egypt’s storied history and its commitment to preserving and sharing seven thousand years of civilization with the world.

A Monumental Cultural and Tourism Milestone

The GEM project represents the culmination of over twenty years of efforts, delayed at various points by regional instability during the Arab Spring, the global COVID-19 pandemic, and conflicts in neighbouring countries. Funded significantly by Japanese development loans, the museum spans approximately one hundred twenty acres, making it comparable in size to the Vatican City.

Designed by the renowned Irish architectural firm Heneghan Peng Architects, the building’s sleek, pyramid-inspired design offers a striking contrast to Egypt’s century-old neoclassical museum in central Cairo, which overlooks Tahrir Square.

World-Class Collection and Highlight Exhibits

The museum’s star attraction is the largest collection of artifacts from Tutankhamun’s tomb, including the iconic golden burial mask, ornate throne, sarcophagus, and thousands of other priceless objects. These treasures had long been displayed at the crowded and aging Egyptian Museum in downtown Cairo but are now housed in a setting befitting their global significance.

Additionally, the monumental colossal statue of Ramses II, previously located in Cairo’s public square, now welcomes visitors in the GEM’s grand entry hall, linking Egypt’s ancient grandeur with modern museology.

Restoration of Global Confidence in Heritage Stewardship

The new museum aims to erase the tarnished image associated with the older Egyptian Museum, which suffered from thefts during the 2011 uprising and maintenance mishaps including a damaged piece from Tutankhamun’s collection. By offering state-of-the-art security, climate control, and exhibit curation, the GEM aspires to position Egypt as a global leader in cultural preservation.

It also strengthens Egypt’s diplomatic efforts to reclaim antiquities held in foreign museums by showcasing a commitment to safeguarding and proudly presenting national heritage at home.

Boost to Egypt’s Tourism Sector and Economy

Cairo’s new museum inauguration dovetails with Egypt’s broader tourism revival efforts, vital for an economy recovering from years of regional upheaval and global tourism downturns. The GEM is expected to:

• Draw millions of international visitors eager to experience Egypt’s ancient culture in an immersive, modern environment
• Extend visitor stay durations in the Cairo area, benefiting hotels, restaurants, and local businesses
• Generate significant foreign exchange revenue, supporting Egypt’s macroeconomic stability
• Cement Cairo’s status as a key cultural tourism destination alongside its archaeological wonders

The museum enhances accessibility to heritage, inspiring tourism diversification with educational, experiential, and cultural programs attracting a wide range of travelers.

International Presence Underlining Egypt’s Heritage Leadership

The opening ceremony drew multiple world leaders, including German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, and senior dignitaries from Oman, Bahrain, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, reflecting the museum’s international stature.

The global attention underscores Egypt’s success in forging strategic partnerships and asserting itself as a center of cultural diplomacy and soft power.

The GEM Experience: Modern Facilities and Sustainable Design

The museum’s exhibition spaces integrate cutting-edge technology and sustainable architectural design. The grand galleries and interactive exhibits embody a philosophy of authenticity rather than imitation, presenting Egyptian history with modern museological standards combined with cultural sensitivity.

Visitors will traverse sprawling exhibits illustrating various eras of Egyptian civilization, from prehistoric times through the Pharaonic dynasties to Greco-Roman and modern periods, facilitated by immersive multimedia displays and innovative storytelling.

Egypt’s Cultural Future

With the full opening of all galleries expected in coming months, the GEM is set to become a central pillar of Egypt’s cultural tourism infrastructure. It complements ongoing projects to improve visitor facilities near the Pyramids and across the country, aligning with Egypt’s vision to sustainably grow tourism through cultural heritage leverage.

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Portugal Under Orange Alert as Extreme Rainfall Hits Nine Districts Across Mainland: All You Need to Know

The Portuguese Institute of the Sea and the Atmosphere (IPMA) has issued a high-level orange weather alert, the second most severe warning, for nine districts in northern and central mainland Portugal, urging both residents and travelers to take extra precaution due to forecast heavy and persistent rainfall. The affected districts under this orange alert as of today include Bragança, Viseu, Porto, Guarda, Vila Real, Viana do Castelo, Aveiro, Coimbra, and Braga, with the IPMA warning that these regions could experience localized flooding, travel disruption, and rapidly changing conditions through the day.

The orange alert was issued by the IPMA following an initial yellow alert, reflecting an escalation in risk level due to the latest meteorological data. According to the IPMA, the rainfall in these areas is expected to be intense and sustained, potentially impacting outdoor activities, road safety, and local tourism operations across northern and central Portugal.

Orange Alert: What It Means for Travelers and the Public

An orange weather alert is the second-most serious level on the Portuguese warning system, indicating a meteorological situation with moderate to high risk for the population. The IPMA uses this alert when there are real possibilities of impacts to urban mobility, river levels, and overall public safety. Severe weather conditions such as heavy rainfall, strong winds, and the potential for flash floods are common triggers for this warning status.

Travelers in or heading to affected districts, especially those in Porto, Braga, and Coimbra, should monitor official weather updates, limit non-essential travel, and follow instructions from local civil protection authorities. Flood-prone areas, riverside paths, and low-lying roads should be avoided, as rapid water level increases are possible.

Impact on Tourism and Local Activities

The extreme weather warnings come as Portugal continues to experience increased visitation, with the northern and central regions, including cities like Porto, Braga, Coimbra, and Aveiro, remaining popular among domestic and international tourists. However, under orange alert conditions, outdoor activities such as sightseeing, hiking, wine region tours, and coastal excursions may need to be postponed or canceled.

Porto’s historic riverside attractions, Braga’s famed sanctuaries, and Coimbra’s university district could see lower visitor turnout as tourism operators and hospitality businesses adjust schedules in response to adverse weather forecasts. Travelers should consult hotel and tour operators in advance for rebooking options or to confirm any changes to plans.

Those renting vehicles or navigating rural roads are advised to exercise extra caution, as wet conditions and potential flooding may cause sudden road closures or hazardous driving conditions.

Regional Authorities Mobilize for Safety

Local civil protection agencies in each affected district have heightened their alert level, placing emergency services on standby for rapid response to any incidents. The IPMA is working closely with municipal governments and emergency responders to provide real-time updates and early warning notifications as conditions evolve.

Residents and visitors should also be aware of the potential for brief power outages, public transportation delays, and possible interruptions to regional train and bus services.

Recent Weather Patterns and Climate Context

Portugal has experienced more frequent severe weather episodes in recent years, often linked to broader climate variability and shifts in Atlantic storm patterns. The current heavy rainfall is part of a wider meteorological trend affecting the Iberian Peninsula, with a series of Atlantic low-pressure systems expected to bring additional precipitation over the coming days.

The presence of persistent, sometimes torrential rain can heighten the risk of landslides in mountainous areas such as those surrounding Viseu, Vila Real, and Guarda. The IPMA has also reiterated that the saturation of soils in these regions increases the likelihood of flash flooding and rapid runoff, especially in valleys and urban centers close to rivers.

Guidance for Travelers and Tourism Businesses

Travelers planning to visit or transit through the affected districts during the orange alert period are strongly encouraged to:

• Check real-time weather updates via the IPMA official portal
• Confirm reservations and activities with local hotels, guides, and tour companies
• Avoid riverbanks, coastal cliffs, and hiking trails during active rainfall or storms
• Stay informed about road closures and public transportation changes
• Heed all local civil protection advisories and act promptly if instructed to relocate or seek shelter

Tourism service providers and event organizers in Porto, Braga, Aveiro, and other highlighted districts are urged to maintain open communication with guests, staff, and authorities, helping to ensure traveler safety while minimizing disruption to itineraries where possible.

Outlook and Recovery

According to the IPMA, the rainfall is expected to gradually ease as the latest Atlantic weather system moves out of the region, but further showers and unsettled weather remain in the near-term forecast. Travelers and residents should remain alert for additional updates and be prepared for quick adjustments as needed.

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