Saudi Arabia is preparing to make a powerful statement at the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2025, as the Kingdom celebrates an unprecedented surge in tourism and outlines its ambitions to become one of the world’s top travel destinations. With a 16% increase in exhibitor participation and a record-breaking 30 million international visitors in 2024, the Kingdom’s presence at this year’s ATM will be its most dynamic yet.
The event, taking place at the Dubai World Trade Centre, will highlight Saudi Arabia’s rapid ascent in global tourism, as it draws the attention of industry leaders, stakeholders, and media from around the world.
A Landmark Year for Saudi Tourism
Saudi Arabia’s travel sector has witnessed extraordinary growth. According to official figures, the Kingdom welcomed 30 million international tourists in 2024, marking a 9.5% increase over the previous year. This boom is part of a broader strategy to diversify the nation’s economy and reduce its reliance on oil, as outlined in Vision 2030.
The momentum extends beyond international travel. Inbound leisure tourism rose dramatically, from 1.12 million visitors in 2019 to 6.2 million in 2023, while domestic travel surged from 48 million to 78 million during the same period.
Saudi Arabia’s Strongest ATM Presence Yet
ATM 2025 will serve as a major platform for Saudi Arabia to showcase these achievements. The Saudi Tourism Authority will once again anchor the country’s participation, joined by a wide array of prominent exhibitors. Returning participants include SAUDIA, flynas, Cruise Saudi, Qiddiya Investment Company, and Fairmont Hotel, among others.
Notably, several new exhibitors will make their debut at the event, including Riyadh Air, flyadeal, Diriyah Company, BAAN Holding Group, and Makkah Hotel & Towers. These companies will feature within the Saudi Land Hall, an expanded iteration of last year’s ATM Saudi Village. This immersive space will spotlight the Kingdom’s culture, heritage, and innovation in travel, reflecting the explosive growth and increasing sophistication of its tourism sector.
Economic Powerhouse of the GCC
Saudi Arabia’s rising influence isn’t confined to tourism alone. Recent research by VIDEC, commissioned by ATM, has named the Kingdom the largest and fastest-growing economy in the GCC. In 2023, its GDP reached USD 1.1 trillion, translating to a per capita GDP of USD 32,500.
Even more significantly, the country has seen a sharp rise in the contribution of its non-oil sectors, which now make up 63% of GDP, compared to just 39% in 2000. This shift underscores the success of the Kingdom’s strategic push toward economic diversification.
Air Travel and Hospitality on the Rise
Air travel is set to play a central role in this transformation. The Total Air Market (TAM) in Saudi Arabia is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12.2%, reaching USD 11.3 billion by 2028. As SAUDIA expands its international network and new entrant Riyadh Air aims to serve over 100 cities by 2030, the Kingdom’s aviation ambitions are set to reshape regional air connectivity.
The hotel and accommodation sector tells a similar story of explosive growth. Saudi Arabia now represents 60% of the entire GCC hotel market, with bookings largely driven by domestic travelers—accounting for nearly 70% of the total gross booking value. More than 40,000 new hotel developments, adding over 320,000 rooms, are currently underway.
Spotlight on Saudi Arabia at the ATM Conference Programme
The ATM 2025 Conference Programme will dive deeper into Saudi Arabia’s role in shaping the future of travel. Held across three main stages—Global Stage, Future Stage, and New Business Events Stage—the programme features 68 sessions and 185 speakers from around the world.
On April 28, Turky Kari, Executive Director of Marketing at AROYA Cruises, will participate in a panel discussing the role of local communities in destination revitalization. Meanwhile, Abulkarim Aldarwish, President for the Middle East and Africa at the Saudi Tourism Authority, will contribute to a high-level discussion on the global impact of major events in driving tourism.
Setting the Stage for Global Leadership
“Saudi Tourism Authority’s unwavering commitment to the event highlights the Kingdom’s rapid progress in establishing itself as a world-class tourism hub,” said Danielle Curtis, Exhibition Director ME, Arabian Travel Market. “This year, ATM will feature one of the strongest Saudi presences to date, showcasing the innovation, ambition, and investment driving the Kingdom’s tourism success.”
ATM 2025 is expected to host over 55,000 attendees and 2,800 exhibitors from more than 161 destinations. The event’s theme, “Global Travel: Developing Tomorrow’s Tourism Through Enhanced Connectivity,” perfectly aligns with Saudi Arabia’s strategy to position itself at the heart of the global travel landscape.
Strategic Partnerships Driving Success
The event is held in collaboration with Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) as Destination Partner, Emirates as Official Airline Partner, IHG Hotels & Resorts as Official Hotel Partner, and Al Rais Travel as Official DMC Partner.
As the Kingdom continues to rewrite its tourism narrative, ATM 2025 will be a defining moment—marking not only Saudi Arabia’s achievements, but also its relentless drive to redefine global travel.
