RIYADH: The holy city has topped cities across the region in visitors’ choice, according to the Madinah Chamber of Commerce.
The chamber said in its latest report that the holy city was the primary destination for visitors to the region.
Tourism performance indicators showed that 73.7 percent of visitors to the region choose Madinah as their destination, drawn by its combination of sacred significance and profound historical connection to Prophet Muhammad.
The report indicated that Madinah ranked among the top 100 global destinations and secured the seventh position worldwide in the tourism performance index, reflecting its status as a destination that combines spiritual significance with cultural and economic attractions.
The report also noted that 47.2 percent of incoming tourists visited AlUla governorate, thanks to its cultural events, historical experiences and UNESCO World Heritage sites, while 14.1 percent of domestic tourists chose Yanbu governorate for its beautiful beaches and marine and recreational services, making it a preferred family destination.
The chamber said that these indicators reflected the rapid growth in the tourism sector in the Madinah region, in light of the integrated efforts undertaken by the national tourism system to support destinations and enhance the Kingdom’s position on the global visitors’ map, in line with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030.
The report also commended the efforts of the Madinah Region Development Authority in implementing qualitative development and tourism projects.
Ahmad Al-Otaibi, a Taif resident working in Riyadh, told Arab News: “Madinah has always been a city close to our heart. No city can compare to the peaceful atmosphere of Madinah, the people keep the city alive 24 hours and 365 days, and yet the atmosphere still calms you.”
He praised the Madinah Development Authority for their work and improving the infrastructure and services related to the hospitality and religious tourism sectors, as mostly religious tourists visit the holy city, and contributing to raising the quality of life and enhancing the tourism experience for both visitors as well as residents.
Madinah also topped cities across Saudi Arabia in occupancy rates for tourist hospitality facilities during the first half of 2025, reaching 74.7 percent, according to a report published by the Ministry of Tourism earlier this month.
The city’s licensed hospitality sector saw substantial growth, with total licensed facilities reaching 538, including 69 new licenses, and total hotel rooms of 64,569, including 6,628 newly added rooms.
The growth underscores Madinah’s position as a leading destination for religious tourism and reflects the impact of large-scale development projects that are enhancing accommodation capacity and service quality, aligning with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030.
