Middle East

Saudi Arabia reports about 623,000 licensed room keys in the first half as it opens Saudi Land at WTM London

By Staff Writer  |  5 November 2026

More than 44,000 of the keys are in newly licensed facilities, the Saudi Tourism Authority said, as 37 Saudi tourism partners met international buyers at the London travel trade show.

Saudi Arabia had about 623,000 licensed room keys across hotels, apartments and other accommodation in the first half of 2026, the Saudi Tourism Authority said this week. More than 44,000 of those keys were in newly licensed facilities.

The figures were released as Ahmed Al-Khateeb, Minister of Tourism and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Saudi Tourism Authority, opened Saudi Land at World Travel Market London on Tuesday 3 November. He was joined by Ageel Alshaibani, the authority's chief executive. The pavilion brings together 37 Saudi tourism partners and remains open at ExCeL London until 5 November.

Visitor numbers and spending

Mr Al-Khateeb said Saudi Arabia welcomed about 61.2 million tourists in the first half of 2026, about 1 per cent more than a year earlier. Tourism spending in the period reached about SAR151.9 billion, or about 40.5 billion dollars. He said the ambition remains to welcome 150 million tourists by 2030. The authority would keep bringing the industry together, he said, at the London show and through TOURISE, which it describes as a global, year-round platform on the future of tourism.

These experiences are backed by continued hospitality investment, with about 623K licensed room keys across hotels, apartments and other accommodation in H1 2026, including more than 44K room keys in newly licensed facilities.

Ageel Alshaibani, CEO, Saudi Tourism Authority

Over the three days of the show the Saudi delegation is meeting tour operators, airlines and travel distributors. It is presenting destinations including Riyadh, Jeddah, AlUla, the Red Sea and AMAALA, and a winter calendar that includes Riyadh Season and Winter at Tantora in AlUla, alongside attractions such as Six Flags Qiddiya City and Aquarabia. The pavilion also presents traditional music and dance, Arabic calligraphy and interactive displays drawn from destinations across the country.

AMAALA takes the stage

AMAALA, one of the country's newest luxury coastal destinations, was the highlight of the pavilion's opening day. Since June seven resorts there have welcomed guests, including properties from Four Seasons, Six Senses, Rosewood and Nammos.

Mr Al-Khateeb celebrated the destination on the stand with John Pagano, chief executive of Red Sea Global, which partnered the authority in presenting it.

For hotel developers, operators and the contractors who build and fit out their properties, the accommodation count is the figure to note. More than 44,000 of the first-half keys were in facilities licensed for the first time, and the authority cited that hospitality investment as the backing for the destinations and experiences it is presenting to the international trade.