Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, 2 February 2026: Saudi Arabia’s hospitality market, valued at US$27.14 billion in 2025, is forecast to reach US$54.32 billion according to Mordor Intelligence, reflecting rapid growth driven by Vision 2030, large-scale hotel development, and the increasing influence of Saudi travellers at home and abroad.
These trends will be examined at the inaugural WTM Spotlight Riyadh, which will take place from 8 – 10 September at the Riyadh Front Exhibition & Convention Center (RFECC), where global and regional travel leaders, buyers, and suppliers will come together to evaluate the expansion of the Kingdom’s hotel sector and how Saudi travel demand is influencing hospitality markets both locally and internationally.
According to research from Mordor Intelligence, Saudi Arabia had approximately 167,500 hotel keys as of Q1 2025, with 61% already positioned within high-end segments. A further 99,500 rooms are planned or under construction, with 78% of this upcoming supply expected to serve the premium market.
Driven by Vision 2030 objectives, the Kingdom aims to deliver 362,000 hotel rooms by the end of the decade, in support of a national target to welcome 150 million domestic and international visitors annually. Mordor Intelligence data shows that chain hotels accounted for 58% of the hospitality market in 2024, while luxury accommodation represented 37% of total market value.
Religious tourism continues to drive hotel demand in Saudi Arabia, with the government aiming to attract 30 million Umrah pilgrims annually by 2030. Large-scale developments in Makkah and Madinah, along with technology-driven initiatives such as AI-enabled crowd management under the Smart Hajj programme, are supporting ongoing growth in hospitality and increasing capacity during peak periods in the country.
International brands are significantly contributing to Saudi Arabia’s hotel supply. According to Knight Frank, 40% of the upcoming supply, totalling 79,080 rooms, will be delivered by international operators, including Accor, Hilton Worldwide, Marriott International, IHG Hotels & Resorts, and Radisson Hotel Group, with growth focused on Makkah, Riyadh, and Madinah.
Alongside domestic hotel growth, WTM Spotlight Riyadh will also examine the travel preferences of Saudi travellers and their growing impact on international hospitality markets. According to research from IMARC, the GCC outbound tourism market is projected to reach US$138 billion by 2033, up from US$71 billion in 2024, with Saudi travellers among the region’s highest-value segments. More
