Saudi Arabia Records 22.7% Hospitality Growth as Riyadh Air Opens International Bookings and Longer Hotel Stays Reshape Tourism: Is the Kingdom Entering a New Travel Era?

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Saudi Arabia is accelerating its transformation into one of the world’s fastest-growing tourism destinations, and the latest figures reveal that the momentum extends well beyond visitor arrivals. Think the Kingdom’s tourism expansion was slowing down? The newest data tells a different story. According to the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT), the number of licensed tourism accommodation facilities increased by 22.7% year-on-year, while visitors are spending more time exploring the country, with the average hotel stay rising to 4.2 nights. Adding another milestone, Riyadh Air has officially opened bookings for its first international routes, signalling that Saudi Arabia’s newest airline is preparing to enter the global aviation market and strengthen the Kingdom’s international connectivity.

Hospitality Expansion Continues Across the Kingdom

The latest hospitality figures illustrate how Saudi Arabia is expanding its tourism infrastructure to support growing visitor demand.

Licensed accommodation facilities have increased across hotels, serviced apartments and other tourism establishments, reflecting continued investment in destinations throughout the Kingdom. The growth aligns with Saudi Arabia’s wider tourism development programme under Vision 2030, which aims to diversify the economy by expanding leisure, business and cultural tourism.

The increase in accommodation capacity is also accompanied by changing visitor behaviour. Travellers are now staying longer, with the average hotel stay reaching 4.2 nights, indicating greater interest in exploring multiple destinations rather than limiting trips to a single city.

Riyadh Air Moves Closer to Take-Off

Could Saudi Arabia’s newest airline become another catalyst for tourism growth?

Riyadh Air has now opened bookings for its first international destinations, marking an important step ahead of commercial operations. The airline’s initial routes include Dubai, London and Mumbai, connecting Saudi Arabia with three major global aviation markets while supporting inbound and outbound tourism.

Operating from King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, the airline is expected to strengthen international connectivity, increase travel options and complement the Kingdom’s broader aviation strategy aimed at positioning Saudi Arabia as a leading global transport hub.

Reaching Saudi Arabia Has Never Been Easier

International visitors can enter Saudi Arabia through several major airports.

King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh sits around 35 kilometres from the city centre and serves as Riyadh Air’s primary hub.

King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah provides access to the Red Sea coast and western Saudi Arabia, while King Fahd International Airport serves Dammam and the Eastern Province.

Riyadh’s transport network continues expanding through the newly developed Riyadh Metro, connecting key districts, business centres and attractions. Visitors also benefit from extensive motorway links, domestic flights and high-speed rail services, including the Haramain High-Speed Railway, which connects Makkah, Madinah, Jeddah and King Abdulaziz International Airport.

More Destinations Are Encouraging Longer Holidays

So why are travellers extending their stays?

Saudi Arabia’s tourism portfolio has grown considerably in recent years.

Visitors exploring Riyadh can combine modern attractions such as Boulevard Riyadh City, Kingdom Centre and Diriyah with museums and heritage districts.

Further north-west, AlUla continues attracting international visitors through its archaeological sites, desert landscapes and cultural events.

The Red Sea coastline offers luxury island resorts and marine tourism, while Jeddah Historic District (Al-Balad) introduces travellers to UNESCO-listed heritage streets, traditional markets and waterfront attractions.

Emerging destinations, including NEOM, Amaala and The Red Sea Project are also expanding Saudi Arabia’s leisure tourism offerings.

Accommodation Choices Continue to Expand

The increase in licensed tourism accommodation provides visitors with a wider range of options across the Kingdom.

Luxury hotels remain concentrated in Riyadh, Jeddah and AlUla, while serviced apartments, business hotels and boutique properties continue expanding in secondary cities.

Travellers staying in Riyadh have convenient access to Kingdom Centre, Al Nakheel Mall, Riyadh Park, Granada Mall and numerous supermarkets and retail districts. In Jeddah, visitors can explore Red Sea Mall, Mall of Arabia and the Corniche, while AlUla increasingly offers boutique desert lodges and heritage-inspired accommodation.

These developments support multi-city itineraries as travellers spend more time exploring different regions.

Tourism Growth Supports Vision 2030

The latest hospitality and aviation developments reflect Saudi Arabia’s broader tourism ambitions.

Expanding accommodation capacity, improved international connectivity and growing visitor stays collectively support the Kingdom’s objective of welcoming millions of international visitors annually while diversifying tourism beyond religious travel.

As Riyadh Air prepares for commercial operations and new tourism projects continue opening across the country, Saudi Arabia’s travel landscape is becoming increasingly connected through aviation, hospitality and destination development.

Key Stats

• Licensed tourism accommodation growth: 22.7% year-on-year
• Average hotel stay: 4.2 nights
• Riyadh Air opens bookings for its first international destinations
• Primary airline hub: King Khalid International Airport, Riyadh
• Riyadh city centre to airport: Approximately 35 km
• Major international gateways: Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam

Timeline and Events

• 2023: Riyadh Air officially launched as Saudi Arabia’s new national carrier.
• 2025–2026: Continued expansion of licensed tourism accommodation across the Kingdom.
• July 2026: GASTAT reports 22.7% growth in accommodation facilities and an average hotel stay of 4.2 nights.
• July 2026: Riyadh Air opens bookings for its first international services ahead of commercial launch.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is Saudi Arabia’s hospitality sector growing?

Growth is being driven by increasing tourism demand, expanded accommodation investment and the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 tourism strategy.

Which airports serve international travellers?

King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah and King Fahd International Airport in Dammam are the country’s principal international gateways.

Which destinations can visitors combine during one trip?

Travellers commonly combine Riyadh, Diriyah, AlUla, Jeddah, the Red Sea coast and emerging tourism projects such as NEOM depending on their itinerary.

Conclusion

Saudi Arabia’s latest hospitality figures, longer visitor stays and expanding international air connectivity illustrate the continued evolution of the Kingdom’s tourism sector. With more licensed accommodation, growing aviation capacity, improved transport networks and an expanding portfolio of cultural, heritage and leisure destinations, Saudi Arabia is strengthening its position as one of the Middle East’s fastest-developing travel destinations—could this be the beginning of an even bigger transformation in global tourism?