Saudi Arabia’s $1 trillion tourism plan is reshaping global travel
- Paul Aage Hegvik
- 6 days ago
- 10 min read
Saudi Arabia is quickly emerging as one of the world’s fastest-growing travel destinations. Backed by a $1 trillion investment under its Vision 2030 plan, the Kingdom is building record-breaking resorts, futuristic cities, and the world’s tallest skyscraper.
Tourism is booming—with international arrivals up 10% in 2025 and the sector now contributing according to World Travel & Tourist Council, over 10% of Saudi’s GDP.
Saudi Arabia is undergoing a remarkable transformation, evolving from a traditionally oil-dependent nation into a burgeoning global tourism hotspot. Under the ambitious Vision 2030 initiative, the Kingdom aims to diversify its economy by investing over $1 trillion in tourism infrastructure, cultural projects, and mega-developments.
Tourism boom: Record-breaking growth in 2025
In 2025, Saudi Arabia's travel and tourism sector is projected to contribute SAR 447.2 billion to the national economy, marking a historic peak and accounting for over 10% of the country's GDP. Employment in the sector is expected to reach 2.7 million jobs, the highest ever recorded. This growth is fueled by impressive levels of international and domestic spending, with inbound visitor spending forecast to hit almost SAR 200 billion, while domestic spending is also expected to soar to a record SAR 162.5 billion.
Key tourism developments
Alcohol policy reforms: In a significant policy shift, Saudi Arabia plans to lift its strict alcohol ban at 600 designated tourist locations by 2026. This move aims to attract international tourists ahead of global events like the 2030 Expo and the 2034 FIFA World Cup. Alcohol will be available in licensed venues such as five-star hotels and luxury resorts, while remaining banned in public areas.
Golf tourism expansion: The Kingdom is investing in golf tourism, with plans to build luxury golf resorts and courses. This initiative includes partnerships to develop related hotels and residences, aiming to promote golf among domestic and international visitors.
Giga projects: Redefining the Landscape
Saudi Arabia's giga projects are central to its tourism strategy, aiming to create world-class destinations:
NEOM
NEOM is the crown jewel of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030—a $500 billion smart mega-city being built from scratch in the Kingdom’s northwest, along the Red Sea and Gulf of Aqaba. The name NEOM combines the Greek word neo (new) with M, the first letter of “Mustaqbal” (Arabic for future).
Spanning over 26,500 km², NEOM is designed to be a global hub for innovation, tourism, and sustainability, with zero cars, zero emissions, and zero streets in parts of the city.
Main Regions of NEOM
1. The Line
A 170 km-long linear city with no cars and no roads
Will house 9 million residents in two parallel mirrored skyscrapers just 200 meters wide and 500 meters tall
Everything—from work to school to nature—is within a 5-minute walk
Travel from end to end in 20 minutes using ultra-high-speed transit
Construction is underway, and the first residents are expected as early as 2026
2. Trojena
A mountain resort and adventure zone set to host the 2029 Asian Winter Games
Will feature year-round skiing on man-made snow, luxury chalets, a freshwater lake, and wellness centers
Located 2,400 meters above sea level in the Sarawat Mountains
Targeted completion: 2026
3. Sindalah
A luxury Red Sea island with yacht marinas, beach clubs, and high-end hotels
Opened to select guests in late 2024, with full luxury tourism operations beginning in 2025
Designed to compete with Monaco and the Maldives for elite global travelers
4. Oxagon
The world’s largest floating industrial city, shaped like an octagon
A logistics and tech hub powered entirely by renewable energy
Includes research centers, clean manufacturing, and an AI-run port
Unknown and surprising facts
NEOM will run entirely on renewable energy, with solar, wind, and hydrogen at its core
AI and robotics will manage everything from waste to transportation to delivery drones
A dedicated NEOM International Airport is under construction, with early flights already landing at the site
NEOM has its own legal and economic system, independent from the rest of Saudi Arabia, to attract global talent and investment
The site includes ancient petroglyphs and ruins, which are being preserved as part of NEOM’s cultural conservation plan
NEOM is envisioned as a global innovation zone, drawing companies focused on biotech, AI, clean energy, and robotics
Current status (2025)
Major groundworks and early infrastructure are complete
Construction has accelerated on The Line, with visible progress on the mirrored structures
Trojena, Sindalah, and Oxagon are in advanced development phases
Initial operations and tourism activities have already begun on Sindalah Islandluxury island destination in the Red Sea, opened in October 2024, offering high-end resorts and a marina.
Red Sea Project
The Red Sea Project is a cornerstone of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030—an ultra-luxury, sustainable tourism development along the pristine western coast of the Kingdom, between the cities of Umluj and Al Wajh. It spans over 28,000 square kilometers of untouched nature, including:
90+ offshore islands
Volcanic mountain ranges
Sand dunes, canyons, and desert landscapes
Coral reefs and rare marine ecosystems
Key goals and features
50 resorts and 8,000 hotel rooms by 2030
22 islands and 6 inland sites developed in the first phase
Nature conservation: 75% of islands protected; only 22 will be developed
Fully carbon-neutral: Powered by 100% renewable energy
Smart city tech: AI-managed transport, zero waste to landfill
Red Sea International Airport: Designed by Foster + Partners, opened to limited flights in 2023, full operations planned by 2025
Current Status (2025)
First phase nearing completion, including 16 hotels and the first island resorts (e.g., Sheybarah Island, known for futuristic overwater villas)
Red Sea International Airport has started receiving domestic and limited international charter flights
Managed by Red Sea Global, a government-owned development company also overseeing AMAALA, another Red Sea luxury project
The Red Sea Project positions Saudi Arabia as a global leader in eco-luxury tourism, offering travelers an exclusive blend of untouched nature, futuristic design, and sustainable innovation.
This restored mudbrick citadel in At-Turaif, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is the centerpiece of Saudi Arabia’s Diriyah Gate project. Once the capital of the first Saudi state in the 18th century, it now forms part of a vast heritage and tourism revival near Riyadh. Unknown to many, the site hosted the Kingdom’s first Traditional Architecture Gathering in 2023—bringing global experts to explore how Najdi design, with its natural cooling techniques and intricate geometric patterns, can shape sustainable building in the modern era. Photo: dgda.gov.sa Diriyah Gate
Diriyah Gate is a $63 billion cultural and heritage megaproject located just outside Riyadh, designed to transform the historic city of Diriyah—the original home of the Saudi royal family—into a global cultural and lifestyle destination.
Key features and vision
Centerpiece: At-Turaif, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the 18th-century capital of the first Saudi state, restored as a living museum.
Development scope: Over 100 heritage and cultural sites, luxury hotels, museums, art galleries, restaurants, souks, and educational institutions.
Cultural revival: Traditional Najdi architecture and urban planning form the foundation of the design.
Luxury with heritage: Over 30 hotels, including brands like Aman, Ritz-Carlton, and Six Senses, will offer high-end stays within a preserved heritage setting.
Target: Attract 27 million visitors annually by 2030.
Unknown highlights
Wadi Safar: A nearby valley being transformed into a private royal retreat and high-end eco-luxury zone with horse trails, date farms, and boutique lodges.
Diriyah Art Futures: An initiative blending traditional Saudi art with digital innovation, including AI-generated calligraphy and immersive heritage storytelling.
Smart sustainability: Hidden infrastructure ensures modern amenities without disrupting historical aesthetics—energy, waste, and traffic systems are fully underground.
Diriyah Gate isn’t just about tourism—it’s a cultural statement, reintroducing Saudi Arabia to the world by honoring its origins and transforming them into a world-class visitor experience.
Qiddiya
Qiddiya is a massive entertainment megaproject under Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, located just 40 km from Riyadh. Spanning over 334 square kilometers, it’s designed to become the largest entertainment city in the world—offering theme parks, sports arenas, cultural venues, and lifestyle experiences unlike anything the region has seen.
Key highlights and features
Six Flags Qiddiya: Set to be the world’s largest Six Flags park, featuring the record-breaking Falcon’s Flight roller coaster—expected to be the fastest and tallest in the world.
Motorsport hub: A FIA-grade racing circuit designed for Formula 1 and MotoGP.
Qiddiya Water Theme Park: The first water park in Saudi Arabia, with 23 indoor and outdoor rides—including many world firsts.
Esports and Gaming District: Plans for a massive gaming and digital sports complex.
Performing Arts Center: Seating over 2,000 people for concerts, theater, and cultural showcases.
Qiddiya Stadium: A futuristic 45,000-seat stadium with a retractable pitch and roof, already confirmed as a venue for the 2034 FIFA World Cup.
Unknown and surprising aspects
Integrated nature: Despite its scale, Qiddiya is designed to blend with the nearby Tuwaiq cliffs, featuring desert trails, rock climbing, and eco-retreats in the rugged landscape.
Job creation: Expected to generate over 17,000 jobs directly by 2030 and draw 15 million visitors annually.
Qiddiya City: A complete residential zone will house 60,000+ residents, including staff, creatives, and entrepreneurs in the entertainment sector.
Smart systems: Qiddiya will run on smart infrastructure with AI-based transport, energy management, and digital wayfinding.
Qiddiya aims to redefine entertainment in the Middle East and establish Saudi Arabia as a global hub for leisure, sports, and innovation—providing locals and tourists with experiences that rival Disneyland, Las Vegas, and Silicon Valley in one.s.
Soudah Peaks
Soudah Peaks is a major tourism development in the Asir region of southwestern Saudi Arabia, part of the Vision 2030 strategy to diversify the Kingdom’s economy. Situated at an altitude of over 3,000 meters (9,800 feet)—the highest in Saudi Arabia—this project is set to create a world-class luxury destination in the clouds.
Key features and plans
Location: In and around the town of Al-Soudah, near Abha, overlooking the Sarawat Mountains and Red Sea coast
Investment: $7.7 billion (run by Soudah Development, a PIF-owned company)
Timeline: Completion targeted by 2033, with phased openings before that
Accommodations: 2,700+ hotel rooms, 1,300+ luxury residences, 30+ high-end hospitality venues
Sustainability: 100% of the development footprint designed to preserve and enhance natural landscapes, juniper forests, and mountain ecosystems
Cultural integration: Traditional stone-and-wood mountain architecture fused with modern alpine design
Adventure and nature-based tourism
Soudah Peaks is marketed as Saudi Arabia’s answer to the Alps, offering:
Hiking, paragliding, mountain biking, and rock climbing
Wellness retreats and spa resorts in cooler highland air
Cultural festivals, arts villages, and traditional Saudi crafts
High-end eco-lodges with panoramic views over clouds and cliffs
Unknown highlights
Coolest climate in Saudi Arabia: Average summer temperatures stay below 20°C (68°F)—a rare climate in the region
UNESCO recognition: The Asir region is part of the UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserves
Ancient heritage: The area is historically inhabited by the Qahtani tribes, with unique music, food, and architecture
Soudah Season: Part of Saudi’s national event calendar featuring local music, poetry, cuisine, and nature walks
Soudah Peaks is not just a getaway—it's Saudi Arabia’s bold bid to become a premium destination for luxury, culture, and nature tourism in the Middle East’s first true mountain resort.
Jeddah Central: A $20 billion redevelopment project in Jeddah, including a stadium, opera house, and oceanarium, set to be completed in phases by 2030.
Rua Al Madinah: An urban development project in Medina aiming to host up to 30 million Umrah pilgrims by 2030, with plans for 47,000 hotel rooms.
The Rig: An offshore adventure tourism destination themed around an oil rig, featuring hotels, restaurants, and extreme sports facilities.
Jeddah tower and Rise tower
Jeddah tower: Set to become the world's tallest building at over 1,000 meters, construction of the Jeddah Tower resumed in 2023 after a hiatus. The tower will feature 167 floors, including residential units, a hotel, and the world's highest observation deck. Completion is targeted for 2028.
Rise tower: A proposed skyscraper in Riyadh, the Rise Tower is planned to reach 2,000 meters, doubling the height of the Burj Khalifa. Designed by Foster + Partners, the project is in the planning stages with no confirmed start date.
Major global destination
Saudi Arabia's aggressive investment in tourism and infrastructure under Vision 2030 is positioning the Kingdom as a major global destination. While challenges remain, including balancing modernization with cultural traditions, the ongoing developments signal a transformative era for Saudi Arabia's economy and global standing. Social reforms that are reshaping the kingdom
Once known for its ultra-conservative laws and restrictions, Saudi Arabia has undergone dramatic liberal changes over the past few years. Led by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) and his Vision 2030 initiative, the Kingdom is modernizing fast—socially, culturally, and economically.
Key liberal reforms and milestones
1. Women driving (2018)
After a decades-long ban, Saudi Arabia lifted its prohibition on women driving in June 2018.
Thousands of women have since obtained licenses, and women now work as taxi and delivery drivers and even racing car instructors.
2. End of male guardianship rules (2019–2021)
Women can now travel abroad, apply for passports, and register births or marriages without a male guardian’s permission.
They can also live independently, which was once legally and socially restricted.
3. Relaxed dress codes
While modest dress is still encouraged, the abaya is no longer mandatory for women in public.
Men and women now wear a wider variety of modern attire, especially in cities like Riyadh and Jeddah.
4. Mixed-gender public spaces
Cafés, restaurants, concerts, and cinemas are now open to men and women together—once unthinkable in public life.
Gender segregation in many workplaces and schools has also been relaxed.
5. Cinemas return (2018)
After a 35-year ban, cinemas reopened in 2018. Today, Saudi Arabia has dozens of modern theaters showing international films.
6. Music, nightlife, and public entertainment
Concerts, festivals, and DJ events are now common—even featuring global stars like Justin Bieber, BTS, and David Guetta.
Although alcohol remains banned (except for a planned lift at tourist resorts by 2026), nightclubs and beach parties with loud music and dancing have been quietly permitted at private venues and major events like MDLBEAST Soundstorm.
7. Tourism visas (2019)
For the first time ever, tourists can visit Saudi Arabia with a simple eVisa. Travelers from over 60 countries are now welcome, including solo female tourists.
8. Expanded rights for women in the workforce
Women now work in banking, security, hospitality, tech, and aviation.
In 2021, women were allowed to join the military and fly commercial airplanes.
9. Crackdown on religious police
The once-feared morality police (Mutaween) have been sidelined. They no longer have power to stop or arrest citizens for dress, music, or public behavior.
10. Hosting mega events
Saudi Arabia is now a venue for international events including Formula 1, golf tournaments, film festivals, and tech expos, all aimed at rebranding the country.
The bigger picture
These reforms are part of a wider effort to diversify the economy, attract tourists, and improve quality of life. While restrictions still exist (e.g. alcohol is largely banned, and criticism of the government remains tightly controlled), the changes are real and visible—and have been rapid.
Saudi Arabia is no longer the closed society it once was. It’s opening up—to tourists, investors, and to its own people. The Kingdom is blending tradition with transformation, and the pace of change continues to surprise both Saudis and the world.
