Riyadh’s tourism surges past 15 million visitors in first three quarters of 2025

Riyadh’s Tourism Boom: Numbers That Speak Volumes

By the end of the third quarter of 2025, Riyadh had welcomed an impressive 15.1 million tourists, both from within Saudi Arabia and abroad. This surge marks a significant milestone, underscoring the city’s rise as a prominent destination on the international tourism stage.

Tourist spending followed suit, soaring to nearly 33 billion riyals ($8.8 billion) – an 18% increase compared to the previous year. This uptick reflects not only more visitors but deeper engagement with Riyadh’s cultural and economic offerings.

Economic Growth and Vision 2030: Riyadh at the Heart of Diversification

Tourism isn’t just a seasonal affair for Riyadh; it’s a strategic engine propelling Saudi Arabia’s broader economic transformation. Central to this is Vision 2030, a well-charted initiative aiming to diversify the kingdom’s economy beyond oil revenues.

Under this National Tourism Strategy, the ambitious target is to attract 150 million visitors by 2030 – a bold goal that Riyadh is actively helping to realize through expanding capacity and enhancing visitor experiences.

Growth in Infrastructure: Accommodations and Guides Keep Pace

Riyadh’s hospitality infrastructure is rapidly evolving to meet growing demand. The number of tourist rooms has jumped by 34% year-on-year in 2025, now totaling around 50,000 rooms. Such expansion offers a wide range of lodging options to suit various tastes and budgets, essential for accommodating the increasing flow of visitors.

Meanwhile, the sector’s human touch has also grown, with the number of registered tour guides increasing by 44% over the same period, reaching 673 professionals. Having knowledgeable and professional guides enhances tourists’ experiences and helps in navigating the city’s rich tapestry of attractions.

Spending Power: Domestic Tourism Shines Bright

The domestic scene is equally buoyant, as revealed by the Deputy Tourism Minister, who highlighted that spending by Saudi residents on local tourism hit a remarkable 105 billion riyals in the first three quarters, also up by 18% year-over-year. This strengthens the tourism sector’s role as a robust pillar in the kingdom’s economic diversification.

Why Riyadh’s Tourist Boom Matters for Transfers and Taxi Services

With such flourishing visitor numbers, the demand for reliable and efficient transfer services from airports, hotels, and popular city attractions inevitably rises. Visitors, whether leisure or business travelers, often seek convenient local transportation options, boosting the appeal of platforms like LocalsRide.com, where travelers can pick their exact vehicle, know its make and model in advance, and see user ratings to choose what suits their needs best.

The growth in tourism also increases the need for airport transfers, local taxis, and limousine services that cater to diverse groups—from solo travelers to families and business delegations—ensuring smooth connections throughout their stay.

How Riyadh’s Expansion Impacts Taxi and Transfer Operations

• Increased demand for airport transfers: With international and domestic tourism surging, airports see higher passenger flows needing timely pickups and drop-offs.
• Enhanced customer expectations: Visitors prefer transparent booking options offering exact car details and fare prices beforehand, which modern apps deliver efficiently.
• Variety in fleet options: Tourists range from budget-conscious to luxury-seeking clientele, creating a market for cheap rides alongside premium limousine services.
• Professionalism and reliability: A rise in registered tour guides also signals improved tourism services overall, encouraging cooperation with vetted transfer providers to maintain high standards.

Making the Most of the Rise: Benefits of Booking through LocalsRide

Platforms like LocalsRide stand out by providing clarity and control. Before booking, travelers can view the vehicle’s brand, model, seating capacity, and driver ratings, which helps them avoid surprises and plan exactly what kind of ride fits their itinerary and budget.

This transparency is a game-changer compared to traditional taxi-hailing aggregators where vehicle details might be vague, leaving passengers wondering about the quality and legitimacy of the service.

Key Takeaways and Moving Forward

To sum up, Riyadh’s destination allure is powering substantial growth in visitor numbers and spending, reinforcing tourism’s role in broadening the local economy. The expansion of hotel rooms and tour guides is a clear response to the rising demand, contributing to a more vibrant and sustainable travel environment.

For visitors and locals alike, this means better availability and quality of transport services, from taxis to private limousines and seater options, with pricing transparency and easy online booking becoming the norm. Whether arriving at the airport or exploring city sites, the convenience of knowing your car and driver ahead of time adds a layer of assurance and comfort to every trip.

A Note on Experience vs Reviews

While data and positive trends are insightful, nothing compares to experiencing Riyadh firsthand. Even the best reviews can only tell part of the story. Thanks to verified providers on LocalsRide.com, it’s possible to hire a car with a licensed driver at fair prices, keeping the balance between affordability and quality intact.

The platform offers a vast choice of vehicles and numerous additional options, ensuring a tailored transfer or taxi experience that meets individual needs without hidden fees or last-minute surprises. This kind of service transparency and convenience empowers travelers to truly enjoy their visit.

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Looking Ahead: How Riyadh’s Growth Fits into the Global Travel Landscape

Globally, Riyadh’s dramatic tourism increase may not single-handedly redefine travel patterns, but its strides are undeniably relevant. As tourism worldwide becomes more competitive and diverse, keeping pace with such developments is essential.

LocalsRide aims to closely follow these changes, supporting travelers with transparent, personalized transfers and taxi services tailored to evolving demands. Start planning your next adventure and secure your worldwide transfer with LocalsRide.

結論として

The remarkable rise in Riyadh’s tourist arrivals and spending by late 2025 highlights the city’s growing appeal and infrastructure development. Expanding hotel availability and professional guides reflect concerted efforts to meet tourism demand, which in turn boosts the local economy and the wider Saudi Vision 2030 goals.

These trends have direct implications for transport providers, including taxis, transfers, and limousine services, which must adapt to increased passenger flows and higher expectations for service quality and transparency. Through platforms like LocalsRide.com, travelers benefit from the convenience of pre-booking exact vehicles at transparent fares, ensuring reliable and comfortable rides throughout their journey.

From airport pickups to city tours, Riyadh’s tourism boom is shaping the local travel experience in ways that matter to tourists and drivers alike, creating a more connected, accessible, and enjoyable destination.