Saudi Winter 2025 promises hot attractions to end of Q1 next year

Ahmed Al-Khateeb, the tourism minister and chairman of the Saudi Tourism Authority, launched the program on Sunday in Riyadh, with 120 partners from the private sector. (SPA)
Short Url
Updated 15 September 2025
Follow

Saudi Winter 2025 promises hot attractions to end of Q1 next year

  • Goal of 150m tourists by 2030, says Minister Ahmed Al-Khateeb
  • ‘Winter Live’ includes WWE, powerboating, MrBeast appearance

LONDON: The Kingdom’s Ministry of Tourism has launched its Saudi Winter 2025 program with a packed schedule of events running to the end of the first quarter of 2026.

Ahmed Al-Khateeb, the tourism minister and chairman of the Saudi Tourism Authority, launched the program on Sunday in Riyadh, with 120 partners from the private sector.

Al-Khateeb said the ministry is focusing on increasing visitor numbers to align with Vision 2030’s goal of attracting 150 million tourists.

The program’s theme is “Winter Live,” highlighting major entertainment events including the Riyadh, Diriyah, AlUla and Khobar seasons, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The events will include concerts, plays, poetry, family activities, and beach activities during the Khobar Season.

Highlights will feature various AlUla festivals, the World Rally Championship, and powerboat races in Jeddah.

Additionally, there will be a special collaboration with MrBeast and the WWE Royal Rumble event as a part of the Riyadh Season, according to the SPA.

Saudi Winter 2025 will feature the launch of over 1,200 tourism products, and more than 600 special offers in several major destinations, the ministry said.

Riyadh, Diriyah, Jeddah, AlUla, Al-Qassim, Hail and Madinah will showcase the rich natural and cultural diversity found in Saudi Arabia, it added.

Fahd Hamidaddin, CEO of the Saudi Tourism Authority, said the aim is to “strengthen partnerships with the private sector,” which would “contribute to stimulating spending and attracting more tourists from around the world.”


Jeddah’s King Abdulaziz International Airport reaches record 50 million passengers in 2025

Updated 15 December 2025
Follow

Jeddah’s King Abdulaziz International Airport reaches record 50 million passengers in 2025

  • New milestone marks the highest number ever recorded by a Saudi airport 
  • Lucky 50-millionth passenger was a French national arriving from Paris on a Saudia flight

JEDDAH: King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah recorded a new historic milestone on Sunday with the arrival of the 50-millionth passenger for year 2025.

The 50 million milestone marks the highest number ever recorded by a Saudi airport since the launch of civil aviation in the Kingdom, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported. 

It also placed KAIA among the world’s mega airports in terms of passenger numbers. The figure represents a 1.83 percent growth from 49.1 million passenger arrival recorded in 2024.

“This achievement reflects the qualitative transformation at KAIA and its growing status as a regional hub and national gateway connecting the Kingdom to the world,” the report said.

The lucky 50-millionth passenger was a French national arriving from Paris on a Saudia flight to participate in a sports tournament hosted in Jeddah. (SPA)

It also underscores the airport’s vital role in enhancing the Kingdom’s position as a global tourist destination and a gateway to the Two Holy Mosques by facilitating the movement of visitors, Umrah performers, and pilgrims.

KAIA serves as a gateway to the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah by facilitating the movement of visitors, Umrah performers, and pilgrims.

The lucky 50-millionth passenger was a French national arriving from Paris on a Saudia flight to participate in a sports tournament hosted in Jeddah.

She was welcomed by JEDCO’s leadership, who greeted her and presented a commemorative gift to mark the occasion.

JEDCO Chief Executive Officer Mazen Johar said that reaching 50 million passengers reflects the airport’s high operational readiness and marks a pivotal milestone in preparations to double this figure in the coming years.