Ramadan, Hajj Helped Cushion Iran War’s Impact on Tourism — Saudi Minister
By Khadija Muhammad Zakari
Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Tourism, Ahmed Al-Khateeb, says strong Ramadan and Hajj activities helped cushion the impact of the Iran war on the Kingdom’s tourism sector, limiting what could have been a more severe downturn.
Al-Khateeb made the disclosure during the FII Priority Europe Summit in Rome, Italy, where he spoke about the performance of Saudi Arabia’s tourism industry amid regional instability.
According to the minister, religious and domestic tourism remained resilient despite tensions linked to the Iran conflict and the resulting disruptions to travel and aviation across the Middle East.
He said Saudi Arabia recorded only a five to six percent decline in tourism activity during the first five months of 2026 compared with the same period in 2025.
Al-Khateeb described the outcome as a significant achievement given the challenges facing the region’s tourism and transport sectors.
He noted that millions of Muslim pilgrims continued to visit the Kingdom for Ramadan Umrah and the annual Hajj pilgrimage, providing a steady boost to tourism activity throughout the period.
The minister also highlighted the role of domestic tourism, saying many Saudis chose to spend their Ramadan and Eid holidays within the Kingdom as regional flight disruptions affected international travel plans.
According to him, domestic tourism currently accounts for between 60 and 65 percent of Saudi Arabia’s tourism market, making it a key pillar of the sector’s resilience.
Al-Khateeb added that the aviation industry is recovering rapidly and that airline operations are gradually returning to normal as regional conditions improve.
He revealed that before tensions escalated, Saudi Arabia had recorded a 10 percent increase in tourism activity during the first quarter of 2026.
Reaffirming the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 tourism ambitions, the minister said the sector has created more than 250,000 jobs over the past five years.
He added that Saudi Arabia is preparing to launch additional tourism destinations and projects, including major developments in the Red Sea and Diriyah regions, to accelerate growth in the years ahead.
Al-Khateeb also highlighted the launch of Riyadh Air as part of broader efforts to improve connectivity, expand visitor access, and strengthen the Kingdom’s position as a global tourism destination.
