Saudi Arabia Leads Tourism Boom with 67% Increase in International Arrivals
New data from the OECD's Tourism Trends and Policies 2026 report reveals that Saudi Arabia has seen the biggest tourism boom since 2019, with a staggering 67% jump in international arrivals. This surge is largely attributed to Vision 2030, the Kingdom's initiative to diversify its economy away from oil.
The program has made it easier for tourists to obtain visas, increased airline capacity, and invested heavily in cultural attractions and entertainment. As a result, destinations like AlUla's mirrored Maraya building and sandstone Hegra tombs have become Instagram favorites.
Other countries that have seen significant tourism growth include Morocco (53%), Egypt (47%), Brazil (46%), Colombia (45%), Japan (34%), and Chile (33%). Europe's picture is more of a steady climb, but Norway (28%), Serbia (27%), Denmark (22%), Portugal (20%), and Spain (16%) have all outpaced their pre-pandemic visitor numbers.