Taif: Minister of Tourism and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Saudi Tourism Authority Ahmed Al-Khateeb visited Taif Governorate, marking the start of his field tours to destinations featured in the 'Saudi Summer 2025' program, recently launched under the slogan 'Colour Your Summer.'
According to Saudi Press Agency, Minister Al-Khateeb led a delegation comprising senior officials from the Ministry of Tourism and the Saudi tourism sector. The visit included a tour of several tourist landmarks in Taif, aimed at assessing the overall visitor experience, reviewing available facilities, and overseeing the quality of services provided.
He 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 sector data in Taif revealed that the number of domestic and international tourists who visited the city in 2024 exceeded 3.6 million, marking an increase of 9% compared to 2023. Annual tourism spending reached SAR3.4 billion, while the number of licenses issued to tourism establishments totaled 266. By the end of June 2025, the number of hotel rooms had reached 10,220.
The Saudi Summer 2025 program reflects the strength of the Kingdom's tourism sector, offering over 250 exclusive deals developed in partnership with more than 200 private-sector entities. To enhance connectivity between tourist destinations, over one million additional airline seats have been made available in cooperation with partners to meet growing demand for Saudi tourism offerings.
Saudi Arabia is currently the world's fastest-growing tourist destination, recording over 115.9 million visits in 2024 and tourism spending exceeding SAR283.8 billion. In the first quarter of 2025, the Kingdom topped global rankings for year-on-year growth in international tourism revenue.
The Kingdom aims to attract 150 million visitors by 2030 through enhanced infrastructure, diverse experiences, comprehensive air connectivity, and integrated travel facilitation for tourists.