DUBAI: Saudi Arabia will command the spotlight at the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2025 in Dubai, as it showcases record growth in its tourism sector and outlines its bold ambitions to become a global destination of choice.
The Kingdom attracted 30 million international tourists in 2024, a 9.5 percent increase from the previous year, reflecting its rapid emergence as a regional powerhouse in the travel industry. ATM 2025 will serve as a key platform for Saudi Arabia to demonstrate its evolving travel infrastructure, hospitality investments, and vision for the future.
The Kingdom’s presence at ATM 2025 is marked by an impressive 16 percent rise in exhibitor participation. Returning participants include the Saudi Tourism Authority, SAUDIA, flynas, Qiddiya Investment Company, Cruise Saudi, and Makkah Clock Royal Tower, A Fairmont Hotel. First-time exhibitors this year feature Riyadh Air, flyadeal, Diriyah Company, and StayKSA, among others. All will be hosted in the Saudi Land hall, a dedicated space that expands upon last year’s ATM Saudi Village to reflect the nation’s cultural and tourism landscape.
Travel momentum in Saudi Arabia
Research commissioned by ATM and conducted by VIDEC reveals Saudi Arabia’s growing influence within the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). In 2023, the Kingdom’s Gross Domestic Product reached USD 1.1 trillion, equivalent to a per capita GDP of USD 32,500. More notably, the non-oil sector’s share of GDP rose to 63 percent in 2021, up from 39 percent in 2000, showcasing efforts to diversify the economy in line with Vision 2030.
Tourism has played a central role in this shift. Inbound leisure tourism rose dramatically, from 1.12 million visitors in 2019 to 6.2 million in 2023. Domestic tourism also surged from 48 million to 78 million trips during the same period, further boosting internal travel demand.
Expanding air and hotel markets
The Kingdom’s aviation sector is forecast to witness exceptional growth. Saudi Arabia’s Total Air Market (TAM) is expected to expand at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 12.2 percent, reaching USD 11.3 billion by 2028. The entry of Riyadh Air, with plans to connect the country to over 100 cities by 2030, alongside SAUDIA’s global expansion strategy, is set to reshape regional and international air connectivity. The international air market, in particular, is projected to grow at a CAGR of 14.1 percent until 2028.
Saudi Arabia also dominates the region’s hotel landscape. In 2024, it accounted for 60 percent of the GCC’s hotel market. Of the total Gross Booking Value, 70 percent is attributed to domestic travellers. The pipeline includes 40,000 new hotels, adding approximately 320,000 rooms, reinforcing the Kingdom’s commitment to hospitality development.
ATM 2025
ATM 2025 will provide a stage for stakeholders to delve into Saudi Arabia’s role in global travel. The ATM Conference Programme will host 68 sessions featuring 185 speakers across the Global Stage, Future Stage, and New Business Events Stage. Highlights include AROYA Cruises’ Turky Kari discussing community involvement in destination revitalisation, and Saudi Tourism Authority’s Abulkarim Aldarwish examining the global impact of major events.
The event, hosted at Dubai World Trade Centre, is expected to welcome 55,000 attendees and 2,800 exhibitors from 161 countries. Strategic partners include Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism, Emirates, IHG Hotels & Resorts, and Al Rais Travel. The 2025 edition will focus on “Global Travel: Developing Tomorrow’s Tourism Through Enhanced Connectivity.”