Saudi Arabia’s travel and tourism sector continues to flourish, with the Kingdom welcoming 30 million international visitors in 2024, reflecting a remarkable 9.5 percent increase from the previous year. This growth will be spotlighted at the upcoming Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2025, where Saudi Arabia will unveil its latest tourism milestones, showcase new projects, and emphasize its vision to emerge as a premier destination.
Prominent exhibitors at ATM 2025
ATM 2025 will feature a variety of prominent exhibitors from the Kingdom. In addition to the Saudi Tourism Authority, returning exhibitors include SAUDIA, flynas, Qiddiya Investment Company, Sixth Gulf Travel Company, Taiba Investment, Makkah Clock Royal Tower, Fairmont Hotel, Cruise Saudi, and L’azure Hospitality. First-time exhibitors this year encompass flyadeal, Riyadh Air, Diriyah Company, Aseer, BAAN Holding Group, Makkah Hotel & Towers, Alhussam Tourism, and StayKSA.
These exhibitors, along with many others, will be showcased in a dedicated Saudi Land hall, which expands upon last year’s ATM Saudi Village. This hall will represent Saudi Arabian culture, heritage, and tourism, while reflecting the upward trajectory of the Kingdom’s travel industry, which has witnessed a 16 percent increase in Saudi Arabian exhibitor presence this year.
Economic insights and growth
Recent research conducted by VIDEC, on behalf of ATM, has highlighted Saudi Arabia’s remarkable status as the largest and fastest-growing economy within the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region. In 2023, Saudi Arabia’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) reached an impressive USD 1.1 trillion, translating to a per capita GDP of USD 32,500. This positions the nation as one of the most significant and influential markets in the region.
The report further reveals that the contribution of the non-oil sector to the country’s GDP has increased substantially, reaching 63 percent in 2021. This represents a significant leap from 39 percent in 2000, indicating a strategic diversification of the economy away from reliance on oil revenues. Saudi Arabia also experienced a surge in inbound leisure tourists in 2023, growing from 1.12 million in 2019 to 6.2 million. Meanwhile, domestic travel grew from 48 million to 78 million in the same period.
Commitment to world-class tourism
Danielle Curtis, exhibition director ME, Arabian Travel Market, stated: “Saudi Tourism Authority’s unwavering commitment to the event highlights the Kingdom’s rapid progress in establishing itself as a world-class tourism hub and reflects the broader momentum of investment, innovation and ambition that is driving the region’s travel sector forward. This year, ATM 2025 will have one of the strongest Saudi presences to date, with leading airlines, hospitality brands and cruise representation taking centre stage.”
Future projections for air travel
VIDEC estimates that Saudi Arabia’s Total Air Market (TAM) will grow at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 12.2 percent, reaching USD 11.3 billion by 2028. With SAUDIA focusing on international expansion and the new airline Riyadh Air aiming to connect the Kingdom with over 100 cities by 2030, the report predicts that this will significantly impact the international air travel market, which is expected to grow at a CAGR of 14.1 percent until 2028.
The hotel market landscape
The report also outlines how Saudi Arabia’s hotel market accounted for 60 percent of the GCC’s hotel market in 2024, emphasizing its dominant position in the region. Hotel bookings are predominantly driven by the domestic market, which accounts for approximately 70 percent of the Gross Booking Value (GBV). With 40,000 hotels under development, adding approximately 320,000 rooms, the Kingdom’s hotel market is set to accelerate further.
Exploring global travel trends
Saudi Arabia’s growing importance in the global travel industry will be explored during the ATM Conference Programme, which will unfold across three stages – the Global Stage, the Future Stage, and the New Business Events Stage and will feature 68 sessions led by 185 high-profile speakers.
On 28 April, Turky Kari, Executive Director of Marketing, AROYA Cruises, will join a distinguished panel on the Global Stage to discuss the Considerations and Implications of Involving Communities in Destination Revitalization. Meanwhile, Abulkarim Aldarwish, MEA President, Saudi Tourism Authority, will join tourism leaders and travel experts to discuss Big Ticket Events: Global Impact and Learnings on the Business Events Stage.
Anticipating attendance and partnerships
ATM 2025 is poised to welcome 55,000 attendees and will serve as a platform to showcase over 2,800 exhibitors from more than 161 global destinations. The event will center on the transformative power of connectivity as part of the theme “Global Travel: Developing Tomorrow’s Tourism Through Enhanced Connectivity.”
Held in conjunction with Dubai World Trade Centre, ATM 2025’s strategic partners include Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), Destination Partner; Emirates, Official Airline Partner; IHG Hotels & Resorts, Official Hotel Partner; and Al Rais Travel, Official DMC Partner.
