Saudi Arabia boosts religious tourism

28-06-25

Saudi Arabia is transforming religious tourism into a central pillar of its ambitious Vision 2030 economic diversification plan. In 2025, around 1.67 million pilgrims performed the Hajj, with 1.51 million arriving from 171 countries — a clear reflection of the global nature of this spiritual experience. Most arrived by air, while only about 8% traveled by land or sea. Gender distribution was also balanced, with 878,000 men and 795,000 women participating. Only about 10% of the pilgrims were Saudi nationals.

Although the total number of Hajj participants decreased by 8.5% compared to the 1.83 million in 2024, it remains the largest religious gathering in the world. However, it is the Umrah — a pilgrimage that can be undertaken year-round — that is driving the most significant transformation. In the first quarter of 2025 alone, 6.5 million international pilgrims performed the Umrah, an 11% increase over the previous year.

Since launching Vision 2030 in 2016, Saudi Arabia has firmly embraced tourism — particularly religious tourism — as a key engine of economic growth. By the end of 2023, the country had already met its target of 100 million annual visitors, including 27 million international tourists. This success led to a new goal: reaching 150 million visitors by 2030, of which 70 million are expected to come from abroad. In 2023 alone, religious tourism contributed $28.3 billion to the economy, accounting for roughly 20% of the non-oil GDP and 7% of total GDP.

The economic impact of this strategy is substantial. In 2023, religious tourism generated more than 936,000 jobs, with projections estimating up to 1.6 million tourism-related jobs by 2030. Data from Visa for the first quarter of 2025 showed a remarkable increase in spending by pilgrims during Ramadan in Mecca: average spending rose by 162%, from $356 to $449 per person. In Medina, spending also increased by 64%.

To support this growth, the Kingdom is undergoing a massive transformation in infrastructure, including accommodations, transportation, technology, and services. The Haramain high-speed railway now transports 70% of pilgrims between Jeddah, Mecca, and Medina in under 45 minutes. The e-visa system has been expanded to include citizens of more than 60 countries. Flagship projects such as Neom, Rua Al Madinah, the Red Sea Project, and the restorations of Diriyah and Al-Ula aim to attract not only religious pilgrims but also cultural and eco-tourism visitors.

Rua Al Madinah, announced in 2022 by the Saudi Public Investment Fund, aims to host 30 million pilgrims by 2030, generate nearly 93,000 jobs, and contribute over $37 billion to the national GDP. Neom, with an estimated investment of $500 billion, is expected to combine religious, cultural, and adventure tourism within a futuristic and sustainable environment. The Red Sea Project will feature over 50 luxury resorts across 22 islands, targeting high-end eco-tourism.

Improving quality of life has also been a key focus. The Quality of Life Program (QOLP), with a $34.6 billion budget since 2018, has driven the development of cinemas, parks, recreational centers, and events that enhance both resident and visitor experiences. Historical areas such as Al-Balad in Jeddah are being restored and revitalized as vibrant cultural and tourism hubs.

However, this expansion is not without its challenges. Human rights concerns and political repression have drawn criticism, raising questions about the balance between modernization and tradition. Another ongoing challenge is converting the headline figure of 100 million tourists into viable international tourism, as many of these visitors are domestic or religious travelers.

In summary, Saudi Arabia has transformed religious tourism from a solely spiritual practice into a powerful economic driver. The modernization of infrastructure, business development, digital visa systems, and large-scale tourism projects all aim to position the Kingdom as not only a destination of faith but also of culture and leisure.

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