DUBAI: Saudi Arabia will spotlight its booming tourism sector at Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2025, following a record-breaking 2024 with 30 million international visitors, a 9.5% year-on-year increase.
The Kingdom’s growing appeal will be reflected in a 16% rise in Saudi exhibitor participation this year.
Prominent names such as SAUDIA, Riyadh Air, Cruise Saudi, flynas, and the Saudi Tourism Authority will join new participants like flyadeal, Diriyah Company, and BAAN Holding Group in the expanded Saudi Land hall, showcasing the nation’s culture, heritage, and ambitious travel initiatives.
Research by VIDEC underscores Saudi Arabia's rise as the GCC's largest and fastest-growing economy, with tourism emerging as a key pillar of its Vision 2030 goals.
The non-oil sector now accounts for 63% of GDP, up from 39% in 2000. Leisure tourism soared from 1.12 million visitors in 2019 to 6.2 million in 2023, while domestic travel surged to 78 million.
Saudi Arabia’s aviation sector is also on the rise, with the Total Air Market projected to reach USD 11.3 billion by 2028, driven by SAUDIA’s global expansion and Riyadh Air’s goal to connect the Kingdom to 100 cities by 2030.
The Kingdom’s hotel sector dominates the region, accounting for 60% of the GCC’s market and supported by a pipeline of 40,000 projects adding 320,000 rooms.
ATM 2025, themed “Global Travel: Developing Tomorrow’s Tourism Through Enhanced Connectivity,” will run from 28 April to 1 May at Dubai World Trade Centre.
The event is expected to draw 55,000 attendees and 2,800 exhibitors from 161 countries, with Saudi participation among the strongest to date.
