Saudi Arabia’s tourism sector has emerged as a major engine of job creation, generating more than one million jobs across hospitality, travel services, food and beverage, transport, and related activities by the end of August 2025, according to Tourism Minister Ahmed Al Khateeb.
In an article published on the official Saudi Vision 2030 account on X, Al Khateeb said tourism is now one of the most visible outcomes of the Kingdom’s national transformation, with its workforce impact extending well beyond economic growth to social, cultural, and human development.
He noted that Vision 2030 was designed not simply as an economic reform plan, but as a broader effort to reshape Saudi Arabia’s relationship with its people and the world. Within this framework, tourism has evolved into an integrated employment ecosystem that supports long-term career creation, local entrepreneurship, and community participation.
“Tourism today is no longer a single sector,” Al Khateeb said, describing it as a platform through which industries are built, investments are attracted, and sustainable career pathways are created for Saudis. He highlighted how the sector is absorbing talent across diverse skill levels, from frontline service roles to heritage preservation, destination management, and digital tourism services.
Job creation has been supported by the rapid development of destinations across the Kingdom, including AlUla, Diriyah, Jeddah, and the Red Sea coast, alongside the revival of historic cities and the inclusion of previously underserved regions in the national economy. These developments have expanded employment opportunities beyond major urban centres.
Tourism contributed around 5% of Saudi Arabia’s GDP in 2024, with the government targeting 10% by 2030. The Kingdom also exceeded its goal of attracting 100 million tourists seven years ahead of schedule, recording around 116 million domestic and international visitors in 2024, further strengthening demand for tourism-related labour.Al Khateeb emphasised the human dimension of this growth, pointing to rising female workforce participation and the increasing role of small and family-owned businesses in job creation. He said young Saudis, artisans, and entrepreneurs are central to the sector’s expansion.
The minister attributed workforce growth to sustained investment in infrastructure, aviation, destination development, digital systems, and human capital, supported by regulatory reforms and expanded e-visa access. As Saudi Arabia approaches 2030, he said the focus remains on building a resilient, sustainable tourism workforce rooted in national identity.