Saudi tourism spending reached $40.5 billion in the first half

Saudi Arabia says tourists spent 151.9 billion riyals, or $40.5 billion, in the first six months of 2026. The total covers domestic and international tourism and came from 61.2 million tourists, 1% more than in the same period a year earlier. Yet spending was 6% lower year over year, suggesting that a slightly larger flow of travelers did not translate into higher spending per trip. That distinction matters as the Kingdom builds tourism into a larger economic engine: attracting visitors is one test, but getting them to stay longer and spend more broadly is another.