Saudi Arabia sees 333% surge in private hospitality licenses amid tourism boom

The latest data, released by the Ministry of Tourism, reflects soaring investor interest in the hospitality segment and the government’s push to expand capacity across accommodation types, particularly individually owned, furnished units licensed to serve paying guests. Shutterstock
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Updated 16 April 2025
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Saudi Arabia sees 333% surge in private hospitality licenses amid tourism boom

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia issued 8,357 licenses for private hospitality facilities in 2024, marking a 333 percent year-on-year surge as the Kingdom ramps up efforts to build a globally competitive tourism sector. 

The latest data, released by the Ministry of Tourism, reflects soaring investor interest in the hospitality segment and the government’s push to expand capacity across accommodation types, particularly individually owned, furnished units licensed to serve paying guests, the Saudi Press Agency reported. 

This surge in permits aligns with a nearly fourfold increase in tourism license applications since Saudi Arabia secured the hosting rights for the 2034 FIFA World Cup, according to Vice Minister of Tourism Princess Haifa bint Mohammed Al-Saud, who made the remarks during an event earlier this month. 

As part of Vision 2030, Saudi Arabia aims to draw 150 million annual visitors by the end of the decade and is investing heavily in mega-tourism and hospitality projects such as NEOM, the Red Sea destination, and Diriyah Gate. 

Mohammed Al-Rasasmah, the official spokesman for the Ministry of Tourism, said that “the increasing growth in the number of licenses issued for private tourism hospitality facilities confirms the ministry's keenness to enable individual investors in the hospitality sector to obtain the necessary ministry license to operate, within the framework of the ministry's keenness to ensure the improvement of services provided,” the SPA reported. 

“He pointed out that these efforts come within the framework of the "Our Guests Are a Priority" campaign; which aims to enhance hospitality facilities' commitment to licensing and classification standards, and ensure their compliance with the requirements and requirements set by the Tourism System and its regulations,” it added.  

Earlier this month, the ministry reported an 89 percent increase in licensed hospitality facilities across Saudi Arabia, reaching 4,425 units by the end 2024. The rise reflects mounting demand from domestic and international travelers as the Kingdom accelerates tourism development under Vision 2030. 

Makkah accounted for 1,030 of these licensed facilities — an 80 percent annual jump — making it the leading region for the number of certified accommodations and rooms. The ministry said the uptick supports its commitment to improving the visitor experience, especially for Umrah pilgrims. 

In a post on X at the time, Al-Rasasimah described the surge as “remarkable,” adding that it reflects efforts “to support the sector’s growth and enhance its investment attractiveness.” 

The ministry emphasized that the regulation of private hospitality providers is not only intended to enhance competitiveness but also to protect guest rights and uphold service standards, particularly in high-demand areas like Makkah and Madinah. 


Saudi Maaden reports 156% profit surge to $2bn on strong commodity prices, record production

Updated 05 March 2026
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Saudi Maaden reports 156% profit surge to $2bn on strong commodity prices, record production

RIYADH: Saudi mining and metals company Maaden has reported a 156 percent jump in its net profit attributable to shareholders for 2025, driven by higher commodity prices, record production volumes, and a one-off bargain purchase gain.

The state-backed giant posted a net profit of SR7.35 billion ($1.95 billion) for the full year 2025, an increase from SR2.87 billion in the previous year. The firm’s revenue surged by 19 percent to SR38.58 billion, up from SR32.55 billion in 2024.

This comes as Saudi Arabia steps up efforts to expand its mining sector as a pillar of economic diversification, encouraging international participation and private investment to unlock the Kingdom’s estimated $2.5 trillion in untapped mineral resources under Vision 2030.    

In a statement on Tadawul, the company said: “Performance was led by record phosphate production, near record aluminum production, an increase in all three of Maaden’s main output commodity prices.”

The performance was also fueled by a 60 percent increase in gross profit, which reached SR14.79 billion. In its annual results announcement, Maaden attributed the top-line growth to “higher commodity market prices for phosphate, aluminum and gold business units,” as well as increased sales volumes in its phosphate and aluminum segments. This was partially offset by slightly lower sales volume in the gold unit.

Maaden’s CEO, Bob Wilt, hailed 2025 as a transformative year for the company, marked by strategic growth and operational excellence. “This was a great year for Maaden’s strategic growth. We delivered strong financial results and sustained operational excellence across the business,” he said in a statement.

“This was driven by growth in production across all businesses, including record-breaking DAP (di-ammonium phosphatevolumes), disciplined cost control across and a clear commitment to our role as a cornerstone of the Saudi economy,” Wilt added.

Profitability was further bolstered by an increased share of net profit from joint ventures and an associate. This included a one-off bargain purchase gain of SR768 million related to Maaden’s investment in Aluminium Bahrain B.S.C. The company also benefited from lower finance costs.

The fourth quarter of 2025 was strong, with Maaden swinging to a net profit of SR1.67 billion, compared to a loss of SR106 million in the same period of the prior year. Quarterly revenue rose 7 percent to SR10.64 billion.

The firm achieved record production of di-ammonium phosphate, reaching 6.72 million tonnes for the year, a 9 percent increase. Aluminum production remained near-record levels, while the company added a net 7.8 million ounces to its reportable gold mineral resources through discovery and resource development.

The phosphate division saw sales jump 17 percent to SR20.77 billion, with the earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization margin expanding to 47 percent. The aluminum business reported a 9 percent increase in sales to SR10.99 billion, with EBITDA more than doubling in the fourth quarter.

Looking ahead, Wilt emphasized that the pace of growth will accelerate as the company advances key initiatives, including the Phosphate 3 Phase 1 and Ar Rjum projects, which remain on budget and schedule. Maaden has also secured a gas supply for its future Phosphate 4 project.

“This pace of growth will only accelerate. Not only as we advance projects and increase the scale of our exploration program, but as we continue to grow production and implement technology that will further modernize, streamline and unlock value,” Wilt added.

Earnings per share for the year rose sharply to SR1.91, up from SR0.78 in 2024. Total shareholders’ equity increased by 18.7 percent to SR61.59 billion.