Saudi Minister of Tourism Ahmed Al-Khateeb participated in the FII PRIORITY Europe Summit held in Rome from June 17 to 19, 2026, where he highlighted the significant transformation of Saudi Arabia’s tourism sector in line with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030.
As part of the summit’s official program, Al-Khateeb took part in a fireside chat titled “Resilient by Design: Vision 2030 and the Architecture of Enduring Value.” During the session, he outlined the evolution of the Kingdom’s tourism industry, emphasizing its strong performance amid regional challenges over the past six months, its resilience in the face of global uncertainty, and its sustained momentum toward long-term growth.
The minister also underscored Saudi Arabia’s continued investment in developing world-class tourism destinations across the Kingdom. He highlighted the tangible economic and social benefits generated by these investments, including the creation of new job opportunities for Saudi citizens and the strengthening of local participation in the sector.
Addressing the role of emerging technologies, Al-Khateeb spoke about the growing integration of artificial intelligence within the tourism industry. He stated: “In Saudi Arabia, we are using AI, and we will continue to use AI, because we are very advanced when it comes to technology. At the same time, we are committed to preserving the human element in the sector. We want AI to empower people, support them, and help them in welcoming our guests and sharing our culture and hospitality.”
He noted that Saudi Arabia’s participation in the global forum reflects the success of its rapidly evolving tourism sector, which in less than a decade has developed into a dynamic and integrated ecosystem. This ecosystem now offers a wide range of investment opportunities spanning tourism destinations, hospitality, infrastructure, digital services, and human capital development.
The minister also highlighted the Kingdom’s positioning as a fast-growing and stable tourism market, serving as a global gateway for collaboration in investment, artificial intelligence, and innovation, particularly for European partners.
On the sidelines of the summit, Al-Khateeb held a series of bilateral meetings with international investors and industry leaders. Discussions focused on strengthening strategic partnerships and exploring new opportunities for tourism investment and destination development in Saudi Arabia.
Coinciding with the summit, the Ministry of Tourism released its annual statistical report for 2025, which highlighted the sector’s transition from ambition to large-scale impact, establishing tourism as one of the Kingdom’s leading non-oil growth drivers.
According to the report, Saudi Arabia recorded approximately 123 million inbound and domestic tourists in 2025, marking a 6% increase compared to 2024. This included 29.3 million inbound visitors and 93.3 million domestic tourists. Total tourism spending reached around SAR 304 billion, reflecting a 7% year-on-year increase, with inbound tourism contributing SAR 176.6 billion and domestic tourism accounting for SAR 127.1 billion.
