Middle East travel and tourism soars as Saudi Arabia fuels growth at nearly double the global rate and leads the region

The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) today revealed that the Middle East is experiencing strong Travel & Tourism growth, with the sector expanding by 5.3% in 2025, outpacing the global average of 4.1% and reinforcing the region’s position as one of the world’s most dynamic travel markets.

Regional Growth
- The Middle East’s Travel & Tourism sector expanded 5.3% in 2025, outpacing the global average of 4.1%.
- The sector contributed $385.8 billion to GDP and supported 7.1 million jobs, underscoring its economic importance.

Saudi Arabia Leads
- Saudi Arabia accounted for 46% of the region’s Travel & Tourism economy ($178 billion GDP).
- Its Travel & Tourism GDP grew 7.4%, nearly double the global rate.
- International visitor spending rose 8.2%, far above the global average of 3.2%.
- Business travel surged 55%, positioning the Kingdom as a hub for events, investment, and global engagement.

Other Regional Highlights
- UAE: $68.5 billion GDP, $56.9 billion international visitor spending.
- Jordan: 5.5% GDP growth, $8.5 billion visitor spending.
- Oman: 5.5% GDP growth, $4.0 billion visitor spending.

Business Travel Momentum
- Across the Middle East, business travel spending rose 23% in 2025, one of the strongest-performing segments.
- This reflects the region’s growing role in hosting major international events and conferences.

Outlook
WTTC emphasizes that sustained investment in infrastructure, connectivity, and destination development — combined with public-private collaboration — will be critical to maintaining this momentum.

Gloria Guevara, WTTC President & CEO, noted that Saudi Arabia’s growth was “nearly double the global average,” highlighting the Kingdom’s central role in driving regional success.