Saudi Arabia’s leisure tourism soars, drawing 17.5m visitors in 2024 

Between January and July of this year, Saudi Arabia saw 4.2 million visitors seeking entertainment and leisure experiences, a 25 percent increase from the previous year. Shutterstock
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Updated 29 September 2024
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Saudi Arabia’s leisure tourism soars, drawing 17.5m visitors in 2024 

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s leisure tourism sector has surged by 656 percent since 2019, welcoming 17.5 million international visitors in 2024, according to the Ministry of Tourism.  

This growth reflects the Kingdom’s ongoing efforts to enhance its tourism offerings and attract global travelers. 

The introduction of the first tourism visa in 2019 marked a pivotal moment for Saudi Arabia's travel industry, significantly boosting international tourism. Under Vision 2030, the Kingdom aims to welcome 100 million tourists by 2030 — a goal achieved seven years ahead of schedule in 2023. 

Between January and July of this year, Saudi Arabia saw 4.2 million visitors seeking entertainment and leisure experiences, a 25 percent increase from the previous year. Overall, the total number of international tourists in the first seven months of 2024 represents a 10 percent rise from 2023 and a 73 percent increase compared to 2019. These statistics underline the sector’s rapid expansion, driven by Vision 2030, which aims to transform the Kingdom into a global tourism hub. 

The UN World Tourism Barometer recognized the Kingdom as the fastest-growing G20 nation in terms of international arrivals and tourism revenues. 

Key initiatives fueling this growth include the development of new tourist attractions, such as the Diriyah Gate project, and substantial investments in luxury resorts along the Red Sea coast. 

Additionally, the Kingdom has prioritized cultural and historical tourism, with projects like the AlUla site and the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Cultural Heritage Program enhancing its appeal to travelers. 

These initiatives, along with a push for integrated tourism destinations, have positioned Saudi Arabia as a premier destination for travelers across the globe. 

The tourism sector is poised to significantly impact Saudi Arabia’s employment landscape. By 2030, it is projected to create approximately 1.2 million jobs for Saudis, particularly in hospitality, tour operations, and cultural heritage preservation.  

The National Transformation Program, part of Vision 2030, is designed to ensure that a substantial portion of these jobs are held by Saudi nationals. 

Currently, tourism is one of the largest sources of employment for citizens, with around 900,000 nationals already working in the sector. These developments indicate the sector’s potential to bolster the economy, reduce unemployment, and empower the local workforce.


New Murabba seeks contractors for Mukaab Towers fit-outs: MEED

Updated 28 January 2026
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New Murabba seeks contractors for Mukaab Towers fit-outs: MEED

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s New Murabba Development Co., a wholly owned subsidiary of the Public Investment Fund, has issued a request for information to gauge the market for modular and offsite fit-out solutions for its flagship Mukaab development, MEED reported on Wednesday.

The RFI was released on Jan. 26, with submissions due by Feb. 11. NMDC has also scheduled a market engagement meeting during the first week of February to discuss potential solutions with prospective contractors.

Sources close to the project told MEED that NMDC is “seeking experienced suppliers and contractors to advise on the feasibility, constraints, and execution strategy for using non-load-bearing modular systems for the four corner towers framing the Mukaab structure.” The feedback gathered from these discussions will be incorporated into later design and procurement decisions.

The four towers — two residential (North and South) and two mixed-use (East and West) — are integral to the Mukaab’s architectural layout. Each tower is expected to rise approximately 375 meters and span over 80 stories. Key modular elements under consideration include bathroom pods, kitchen pods, dressing room modules, panelized steel partition systems, and other offsite-manufactured fit-out solutions.

Early works on the Mukaab were completed last year, with NMDC preparing to award the estimated $1 billion contract for the main raft works. This was highlighted in a presentation by NMDC’s chief project delivery officer on Sept. 9, 2025, during the Future Projects Forum in Riyadh.

Earlier this month, US-based Parsons Corp. was awarded a contract by NMDC to provide design and construction technical support. Parsons will act as the lead design consultant for infrastructure, delivering services covering public buildings, infrastructure, landscaping, and the public realm at New Murabba. The firm will also support the development of the project’s downtown experience, which spans 14 million sq. meters of residential, workplace, and entertainment space.

The Parsons contract follows NMDC’s October 2025 agreements with three other US-based engineering firms for design work across the development. New York-headquartered Kohn Pedersen Fox was appointed to lead early design for the first residential community, while Aecom and Jacobs were selected as lead design consultants for the Mukaab district.

In August 2025, NMDC signed a memorandum of understanding with Falcons Creative Group, another US-based firm, to develop the creative vision and immersive experiences for the Mukaab project. Meanwhile, Beijing-based China Harbour Engineering Co. completed the excavation works for the Mukaab, and UAE-headquartered HSSG Foundation Contracting executed the foundation works.