Saudi tourism boom: how brands can market to new visitors
Saudi Arabia reached 100 million tourism visits years ahead of target. Here is what that growth means for hospitality, retail and experience brands.
Published 2 October 2026 · By Naveed Murtaza
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How fast tourism is growing
The Ministry of Tourism reported over 100 million domestic and international visits in 2023 and raised its 2030 target to 150 million.
Destinations such as AlUla, the Red Sea and Diriyah are building new demand.
What visitors search for
Visas, events, hotels, restaurants, dress codes and itineraries dominate travel queries, often in English and Arabic.
Many of these questions still have thin coverage, which creates ranking opportunities.
Channels that work in Saudi Arabia
Snapchat and TikTok are very popular in the Kingdom, alongside Google Search and Maps.
Short-form video showing real experiences, combined with bookable landing pages, often converts well.
What should marketers in Saudi Arabia do next?
Treat this trend as a planning signal rather than a headline. Map which customer questions it creates, build one clear explainer page or landing page that answers them, and run small, measured search and social tests before committing bigger budgets.
Track query growth in Google Search Console and Google Trends, watch competitor ads in the Meta Ad Library and Google Ads Transparency Center, and update your content whenever an official source changes its guidance. Naveed Murtaza helps businesses turn these shifts into practical campaigns, search content and lead journeys.