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Saudi Arabia Hospitality Market: Tourism Growth, Vision 2030 & Demand Expansion

How tourism expansion under Vision 2030, rising religious and leisure travel, and large-scale entertainment developments are reshaping the Saudi Arabia hospitality market, driving demand for hotels, resorts, and premium accommodation experiences across the Kingdom.

By Suhaira YusufPublished about 7 hours ago 5 min read

According to IMARC Group's latest research publication, Saudi Arabia hospitality market size reached USD 53.2 Billion in 2025. The market is projected to reach USD 115.8 Billion by 2034, exhibiting a growth rate (CAGR) of 9.03% during 2026-2034.

How AI is Reshaping the Future of Saudi Arabia Hospitality Market

  • Smart Guest Services and Personalization: AI-powered chatbots and virtual concierges deliver instant multilingual support and personalized recommendations across Saudi hotels, with 91% of hospitality leaders already piloting AI technologies to enhance visitor experiences.
  • Predictive Maintenance and Operations: AI algorithms monitor hotel infrastructure and equipment in real-time, predicting failures before they occur and reducing operational disruptions across Saudi Arabia's rapidly expanding hotel portfolio.
  • Dynamic Revenue Optimization: AI-driven systems analyze booking patterns and real-time market demand, enabling hotels to optimize pricing strategies during peak pilgrimage and tourism seasons, maximizing both occupancy rates and profitability.
  • Enhanced Guest Experience Analytics: Machine learning processes guest feedback and behavior data to identify service improvement opportunities, helping operators deliver exceptional experiences tailored to diverse cultural expectations from international and regional visitors.
  • Energy and Sustainability Management: Smart technologies combining IoT and AI optimize energy consumption in hotels, supporting Saudi Arabia's green building initiatives where 85% of Middle East LEED-certified hotels are located within the Kingdom.

How Vision 2030 is Revolutionizing Saudi Arabia Hospitality Industry

Vision 2030 is fundamentally transforming Saudi Arabia's hospitality landscape through unprecedented infrastructure investment and tourism diversification. The Kingdom has committed USD 110 billion to hospitality sector development, with plans to deliver 362,000 new hotel rooms by the target year. This aggressive expansion has already exceeded initial milestones, with tourist trips reaching 115.9 million in 2024—surpassing the original 100 million visitor goal ahead of schedule. The government now targets 150 million visitors annually by 2030. Mega-projects like NEOM, the Red Sea Development (with InterContinental and multiple luxury resorts now operational), and Diriyah are creating world-class tourism destinations beyond traditional religious sites. The Tourism Development Fund provides soft financing for hotel projects, while simplified visa regulations—including e-visas for 49 countries—have driven international arrivals to 30 million in 2024, up from 27.4 million the previous year. Major global events secured for the Kingdom include Expo 2030 and FIFA World Cup 2034, with over 230,000 hotel rooms planned specifically to support the World Cup alone, cementing Saudi Arabia's emergence as a premier global destination.

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Saudi Arabia Hospitality Market Trends & Drivers:

The Saudi hospitality sector is experiencing explosive growth driven by record-breaking religious tourism and aggressive leisure market development. Makkah alone hosts millions of pilgrims annually for Hajj and Umrah, with authorities targeting 30 million Umrah visitors by 2030, requiring massive accommodation expansion. The city now boasts over 300,000 licensed hotel rooms, with continuous infrastructure investments including the massive Masar Destination development integrating hotels, cultural spaces, and transport hubs. Beyond religious tourism, the Kingdom leads G20 nations with a 69% growth rate in international visitors, ranking first globally in tourism revenue growth for 2024. Licensed tourism hospitality facilities surged 40.6% to reach 5,622 establishments in Q3 2025 alone. Hotel occupancy improved to 49.1% in the same period, while hotel room revenue hit USD 5.6 billion between January and October 2024—up 26.5% compared to 2019. The sector now contributes approximately 11.5% to Saudi GDP, with travel and tourism on track to exceed 10% contribution by 2025.

Luxury and branded hotel expansion is reshaping the competitive landscape across primary and secondary cities. Major international chains including Accor, Marriott, Hyatt, and Rotana are aggressively expanding portfolios, with Rotana planning to triple its room count to 6,000 keys through nine new properties, while Hyatt opens three properties by 2026. Red Sea Global has launched five resorts including Desert Rock and Shebara—both recognized among Time's World's Greatest Places for 2025—with additional luxury openings including Faena, Nammos, and multiple Four Seasons properties throughout 2025-2026. In Riyadh, developments like W Riyadh-KAFD and Conrad Laysen Valley target business and leisure travelers in the King Abdullah Financial District. The luxury segment commands premium positioning with properties featuring championship golf courses, Michelin-quality dining, holistic wellness centers, and eco-conscious design. International brand penetration brings standardized service excellence while boutique properties like the converted Red Palace offer heritage-focused experiential hospitality. This dual-track development serves both mass religious tourism and high-value leisure segments.

Digital transformation and sustainability initiatives are becoming operational imperatives across the sector. Hotels are rapidly adopting contactless check-in systems, mobile key technology, and AI-powered concierge services to meet tech-savvy traveler expectations. Online booking platforms and mobile applications have become primary distribution channels, with the Middle East seeing 100% year-over-year growth in online travel reservations. Data-driven decision-making using IoT sensors and AI analytics enables hotels to optimize energy usage, predict maintenance needs, and personalize guest experiences at scale. Sustainability has evolved from corporate responsibility to financial necessity, with properties pursuing BREEAM and LEED certifications to attract eco-conscious travelers—83% of whom now consider sustainability when choosing destinations—and to secure green financing from institutional investors. The Kingdom's emphasis on regenerative tourism through projects using 100% renewable energy and coral restoration programs aligns with global environmental standards. Meanwhile, workforce development through Saudization policies is creating 1.6 million tourism jobs by 2030, supported by comprehensive training programs building hospitality expertise among Saudi nationals.

GCC Steel Market Industry Segmentation:

The report has segmented the market into the following categories:

Type Insights:

  • Chain Hotels
  • Independent Hotels

Segment Insights:

  • Service Apartments
  • Budget and Economy Hotels
  • Mid and Upper Mid-scale Hotels
  • Luxury Hotels

Regional Insights:

  • Northern and Central Region
  • Western Region
  • Eastern Region
  • Southern Region

Competitive Landscape:

The competitive landscape of the industry has also been examined along with the profiles of the key players.

Recent News and Developments in Saudi Arabia Hospitality Market

  • January 2026: Four Seasons partnered with Midad Real Estate Co. to develop a USD 827 million luxury hotel and private residences in Diriyah, featuring 159 hotel rooms as part of Saudi Arabia's broader economic diversification and luxury tourism strategy.
  • January 2026: Saudi Arabia's General Authority for Statistics reported hotel occupancy reached 49.1% in Q3 2025, up 2.9 percentage points, while licensed tourism facilities jumped 40.6% to 5,622 establishments, demonstrating rapid sector expansion.
  • December 2025: InterContinental Resort on Shura Island at the Red Sea Project officially opened to guests, marking a new benchmark for eco-friendly luxury hospitality and regenerative tourism in the Kingdom.
  • Note: If you require specific details, data, or insights that are not currently included in the scope of this report, we are happy to accommodate your request. As part of our customization service, we will gather and provide the additional information you need, tailored to your specific requirements. Please let us know your exact needs, and we will ensure the report is updated accordingly to meet your expectations.

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About the Creator

Suhaira Yusuf

I specialize in Consumer Insights, focusing on transforming detailed market data into strategic business solutions that accelerate growth and improve customer engagement.

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