Saudi Winter 2025: A New Tourism Season Enhancing Vision 2030 and Driving Toward 150 Million Tourists
Winter Season
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has launched the Saudi Winter 2025 program as part of its accelerated path to develop the tourism sector and strengthen its position as a global year-round destination, focusing on the winter season as one of the most important tourist attractions domestically, regionally, and internationally. This program aligns directly with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030, which has raised the ceiling of tourism ambition after surpassing the target of 100 million tourists, aiming to reach 150 million tourists by 2030.[1][2][3][4]
In this article, you will find a comprehensive guide, optimized for search engines, regarding the Saudi Winter 2025 program, its economic significance, key figures, destinations, and its role in supporting Saudi tourism and the national economy.[3][1]
## What is Saudi Winter 2025?
The Saudi Winter 2025 program is a wide-scale tourism campaign and season offering diverse events, destinations, and experiences across various regions of the Kingdom, running until the end of the first quarter of 2026. The Saudi Tourism Authority launched the program under the theme "Hayya Al-Shita" (Winter is Here), featuring more than 1,200 tourism products and over 600 special offers, reflecting the scale of the marketing and operational efforts involved.[5][6][3]
The program targets domestic, regional, and international tourists through a range of key destinations including Riyadh, Diriyah, Jeddah, AlUla,
## Saudi Tourism Figures
A discussion of Saudi Winter 2025 is incomplete without looking at the figures tourism in the Kingdom achieved during 2024 and 2025. In 2024, the total number of domestic and inbound tourists reached approximately 116 million, a growth rate of 6% compared to 2023, while total tourism spending reached 284 billion Riyals, a growth of 11%.[8][9]
In 2024, the Kingdom recorded approximately 29.7 to 30 million inbound tourists, the highest historical figure at that time, with external spending amounting to 168.5 billion Riyals, while the number of domestic tourists reached 86.2 million. In 2025, preliminary estimates indicated that the number of domestic and inbound tourists reached more than 122 million, with tourism spending rising to more than 300 billion Riyals.[9][10][11][12]
These indicators do not merely reflect numerical growth, but point to a genuine expansion in demand for Saudi destinations and their variety, making the Saudi Winter 2025 program a natural extension of this momentum.[10][3]
## Connection to Vision 2030
Saudi Vision 2030 places the tourism sector at the heart of economic transformation, as it is one of the sectors capable of creating jobs, attracting investment, and stimulating local and international spending. After reaching the goal of 100 million tourists ahead of schedule, the Kingdom raised its ambition to 150 million tourists by 2030.[2][1]
Saudi Winter 2025 acts as a practical tool to support this goal; it goes beyond seasonal promotion by linking operational preparation for destinations, the development of tourism products, the launching of offers, and the expansion of partnerships with the private sector. The program also contributes to distributing tourism traffic across longer periods and more destinations, rather than concentrating it in specific seasons or cities.[3][5][7]
From an economic perspective, the continued rise in visitor numbers and spending boosts tourism’s contribution to the GDP and increases job opportunities in hospitality, transportation, entertainment, retail, and support services.[1][10]
## Destinations and Experiences
Saudi Winter is characterized by a clear diversity in destinations and experiences, which is an important element in the success of any tourism season. Riyadh offers a mix of modern events and entertainment projects, while
The program also includes tourism offers and events ranging from cultural experiences to adventures in nature, such as hot air ballooning in AlUla and ecological experiences in open winter destinations. This variety is crucial because it expands the target audience base, appealing to families, youth, adventure seekers, and those looking for luxury.[13][7][3]
If the summer proved the Kingdom's ability to attract more than 32 million tourists during the Saudi Summer 2025 program alone, winter is seen as an additional window to maximize annual tourism momentum.[14]
## Economic Impact
The program is measured not just by the number of events, but by its ability to stimulate the tourism economy on a broader scale. Reaching tourism spending exceeding 300 billion Riyals in 2025 represents an important indicator of the expansion of the Saudi tourism market. The reach of the sector to this scale confirms its transition into a core economic sector, rather than just a seasonal recreational activity.[11][10][1]
The season adds direct value to hotels, restaurants, transportation companies, tour guides, booking platforms, and local organizers, while also supporting small and medium-sized enterprises in tourist cities. Regarding investment, the clarity of the vision and the size of the market increase the Kingdom's attractiveness to global companies operating in entertainment, hospitality, and events.[2][3][1]
Furthermore, the focus on tourism products and special offers, which exceeded 1,200 products and 600 offers this season, indicates that Saudi tourism is gradually transforming into an integrated industry with a clear value chain.[5][3]
## Why Does It Matter to the Visitor?
For the visitor, Saudi Winter 2025 simply means more choices, more events, and a more diverse tourism experience. Instead of a visit being linked to a single destination, multiple stops can be combined into one trip that includes entertainment, history, nature, shopping, and hospitality.[7][3]
The expansion in tourism offerings also makes the cost of the experience more flexible, especially with packages and offers aimed at locals and visitors from the Gulf and other countries. This enhances Saudi Arabia's competitiveness compared to known regional winter destinations.[13][14][3][5]
From a practical standpoint, the winter season in Saudi Arabia is usually more suitable for open-air activities, road trips, and outdoor events, which increases the appeal of destinations like AlUla, Riyadh, and Diriyah.[3][7]
## Future Implications
The deeper meaning of Saudi Winter 2025 is that it is not a separate season, but part of building a sustainable tourism ecosystem that spans the entire year. The Kingdom is betting on the integration of seasons, destinations, and events to achieve greater leaps in visitor numbers and revenues, which was clearly evident in the results of 2024 and 2025.[8][10][1][3]
If the current growth rate continues, supported by major projects, infrastructure, and international events, reaching 150 million tourists by 2030 becomes an achievable goal rather than just a slogan. Moreover, seasonal programs like Saudi Winter provide the market with recurring boosts that enhance sustainability and reduce the seasonality of demand.[10][7][1][3]
Ultimately, it seems that Saudi tourism is steadily moving toward becoming one of the most prominent engines of the non-oil economy in the Kingdom, with a clear ability to combine local identity with global ambition.[2][1]
## Selected Sources
- Saudi Tourism Authority: Saudi Winter 2025 Program.[3]
- Saudi Tourism Authority / Vision 2030 and the Tourism Sector.[1][2]
- Saudi Ministry of Tourism: Annual Statistical Report 2024.[9]
- Press reports on tourism results in 2025.[11][10]
- Announcement of the launch of Saudi Winter 2025.[4][5]
This article is optimized for search engines by targeting keywords such as: Saudi Winter 2025, Saudi Tourism, Vision 2030, 150 million tourists, Saudi Winter program, Saudi Ministry of Tourism.[1][3]
Sources
[1] The tourism sector in Saudi Vision 2030 https://prod-publisher3.sta.gov.sa/ar/vision2030
[2] The tourism sector in Saudi Vision 2030 - Saudi Tourism Authority https://prod-publisher2.sta.gov.sa/ar/vision2030
[3] Launch of the "Saudi Winter 2025" program with global events and 1200 tourism products... https://www1.mubasher.info/news/4497265/%D8%A5%D8%B7%D9%84%D8%A7%D9%82-%D8%A8%D8%B1%D9%86%D8%A7%D9%85%D8%AC-%D8%B4%D8%AA%D8%A7%D8%A1-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B3%D8%B9%D9%88%D8%AF%D9%8A%D8%A9-2025-%D8%A8%D9%81%D8%B9%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%8A%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D8%B9%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D9%881200-%D9%85%D9%86%D8%AA%D8%AC-%D8%B3%D9%8A%D8%A7%D8%AD%D9%8A/
[4] H.E. Minister of Tourism sponsors the launch ceremony of the Saudi Winter program... https://prod-publisher3.sta.gov.sa/ar/news/saudi-winter-2025
[5] Launch of the Saudi Winter 2025 program in the presence of the CEO... https://hrda.gov.sa/ar/media-center/news/379
[6] Saudi Winter Season 2025.. Launching 1,200 tourism products to boost... https://www.rowadalaamal.com/%D9%85%D9%88%D8%B3%D9%85-%D8%B4%D8%AA%D8%A7%D8%A1-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B3%D8%B9%D9%88%D8%AF%D9%8A%D8%A9-2025-%D8%A5%D8%B7%D9%84%D8%A7%D9%82-1200-%D9%85%D9%86%D8%AA%D8%AC-%D8%B3%D9%8A%D8%A7%D8%AD%D9%8A/
[7] Saudi Winter events schedule https://www.visitsaudi.com/ar/campaigns/winter
[8] Saudi Tourism in 2024.. 116 million tourists and spending exceeding 284 billion Riyals https://amlak.net.sa/79640/
[9] For the second consecutive year.. "Tourism" announces surpassing the 100 million tourist barrier in 2024 https://ajel.sa/tourism/8ykpvh8jns
[10] The Kingdom records more than 122 million tourists during 2025 with spending... https://www.alriyadh.com/2171392
[11] Growth of Saudi tourism in 2025 raises visitor numbers to 122 million and spending... https://sadasaudi.net/25202/
[12] Saudi tourism achieves record indicators during 2024 https://en.sharikatmubasher.com/media-hub/news/21492039/%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B3%D9%8A%D8%A7%D8%AD%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B3%D8%B9%D9%88%D8%AF%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D8%AA%D8%AD%D9%82%D9%82-%D9%85%D8%A4%D8%B4%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D9%82%D9%8A%D8%A7%D8%B3%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D8%AE%D9%84%D8%A7%D9%84-%D8%B9%D8%A7%D9%85-2024?lang=ar
[13] Tourism and Travel https://ajel.sa/tourism
[14] "Saudi Summer 2025" achieves record numbers... more than 32... https://aawsat.com/%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A7%D9%82%D8%AA%D8%B5%D8%A7%D8%AF/5185234-%D8%B5%D9%8A%D9%81-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B3%D8%B9%D9%88%D8%AF%D9%8A%D8%A9-2025-%D9%8A%D8%AD%D9%82%D9%82-%D8%A3%D8%B1%D9%82%D8%A7%D9%85%D8%A7%D9%8B-%D9%82%D9%8A%D8%A7%D8%B3%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D8%A3%D9%83%D8%AB%D8%B1-%D9%85%D9%86-32-%D9%85%D9%84%D9%8A%D9%88%D9%86-%D8%B3%D8%A7%D8%A6%D8%AD
[15] Riyadh Season during Saudi Winter 2025 when it transforms... https://www.alriyadh.com/2165345
[16] Saudi Arabia attracts 122 million tourists in 2025 - Khaberni https://www.khaberni.com/news/773696-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B3%D8%B9%D9%88%D8%AF%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D8%AA%D8%B3%D8%AA%D9%82%D8%B7%D8%A8-122-%D9%85%D9%84%D9%8A%D9%88%D9%86-%D8%B3%D8%A7%D8%A6%D8%AD-%D9%81%D9%8A-2025
[17] Start of winter astronomically: December 21, 2025 - Al-Shabat: January 15, 2026 https://x.com/saudistuff/status/1995152120778260897
[18] Vision 2030 to advance Saudi tourism https://tourismin2030vision.com/a/%D8%B1%D8%A4%D9%8A%D8%A9-2030-%D9%84%D9%84%D9%86%D9%87%D9%88%D8%B6-%D8%A8%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B3%D9%8A%D8%A7%D8%AD%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B3%D8%B9%D9%88%D8%AF%D9%8A%D8%A9
[19] "Tourism" reveals unprecedented figures for the sector: 116 million tourists and 284 billion Riyals in 2024 https://alsaudiweb.com/news2387646.html
[20] Saudi tourism sector records record figures in 2025 with 300... https://www.azmalwatan2030.com/11306
