Tourism Boom: Saudi Arabia Sees 99% Increase in Hospitality Licenses and 107% Surge in Rooms.

Riyadh: The Ministry of Tourism announced that the number of tourism hospitality facilities licensed to operate across the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has increased to more than 3,950 by the end of the third quarter (Q3) of 2024, recording a growth rate of 99% compared to the same period in 2023. According to Saudi Press Agency, the number of licensed rooms reached over 443,000 by the end of Q3 of 2024. This represents a growth rate of 107% compared to the same period of Q3 2023, where the number of rooms was more than 214,000. The number of licensed hospitality facilities in Q3 2023 was about 2,000. The significant growth in the number of tourism hospitality licenses is the result of the great efforts exerted by the Ministry of Tourism to empower operators and investors in the hospitality sector to obtain licenses. This includes providing facilities with operating fees reduced by up to 22%. In addition, the ministry has contributed to the issuance of a decision exempting hospitality facilities from municipal f ees as part of the ministry's keenness to ensure the upgrading of services provided by hospitality facilities to international and domestic tourists. During its "Our Guests Are Our Priority" campaign, the Ministry of Tourism invited all beneficiaries of hospitality facility services to submit their inquiries and comments about the services provided to them by contacting the unified tourism centre at 930.