Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Tourism, Ahmed Al-Khateeb, has launched the ‘Saudi Summer 2025’ program themed ‘Colour Your Summer,’ with a visit to Taif Governorate.
The Saudi Summer 2025 program aims to promote tourism across the Kingdom’s key destinations. Al-Khateeb, also the Chairman of the Saudi Tourism Authority, led a high-level delegation of senior officials from the Ministry of Tourism and the local tourism sector during the visit.
The tour included visits to various tourist landmarks in Taif to evaluate the visitor experience, assess available services, and ensure the quality of services provided. The minister expressed his delight at visiting Taif and touring its tourist facilities, praising its captivating natural beauty and mild climate, which qualify it to become one of the leading tourist destinations in the Kingdom and the region.
Tourism data for Taif shows significant growth in the sector. In 2024, the city welcomed over 3.6 million domestic and international tourists, representing a 9 percent increase compared to 2023. The total annual tourism spending reached $3.4 billion (SAR 12.75 billion), and 266 licenses were issued to tourism establishments. By June 2025, the city’s hotel capacity is set to expand to 10,220 rooms.
The Saudi Summer 2025 program will feature more than 250 exclusive deals, created in partnership with over 200 private-sector entities. To meet growing demand for Saudi tourism, the Saudi Summer 2025 program will also offer over one million additional airline seats, further enhancing connectivity between destinations across the Kingdom.
Saudi Arabia is now the world’s fastest-growing tourism destination, with over 115.9 million visits recorded in 2024. Tourism spending for the year surpassed $283.8 billion (SAR 1.06 trillion). In the first quarter of 2025, the Kingdom ranked first globally for year-on-year growth in international tourism revenue.
Looking ahead, Saudi Arabia is on track to reach its goal of attracting 150 million visitors annually by 2030. This ambitious target will be supported by ongoing infrastructure development, enhanced tourism experiences, and expanded air connectivity, making it easier for global tourists to visit.
