Madinah welcomed 3.767M visitors in Q2 2025, reflecting growth in religious tourism – GASTAT

SAUDI ARABIA – Madinah has recorded a total of 3.767 million visitors during the second quarter of 2025, according to a recent bulletin released by the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT).

This figure includes both domestic and international travelers, underscoring the city’s ongoing appeal as a major religious and cultural hub.

Out of the total visitors, 2,102,425 arrived from outside Saudi Arabia. Females comprised 53.9% of these international visitors, while males accounted for 46.1%, highlighting a relatively balanced gender distribution among foreign pilgrims and tourists.

The bulletin also showed that domestic visitors specifically traveling for religious purposes reached 1,665,341. Of these, 766,165 were Saudi nationals, representing 46%, while 899,176 were non-Saudi residents, accounting for 54% of domestic religious visitors.

Among the internal visitors, males notably made up the majority at 68.5%, compared to 31.5% females. These demographics reflect cultural and social travel patterns within Saudi Arabia, particularly among residents journeying for religious obligations.

This steady increase in both international and domestic religious visitation evidences continuous growth in Madinah’s tourism sector.

The rise aligns with Saudi Arabia’s strategic efforts to promote religious tourism as part of Vision 2030, aiming to enhance the economic and social value derived from pilgrimage activities.

Relevant authorities have intensified initiatives aimed at enriching visitor experiences.

Efforts include improving infrastructure, streamlining services, and elevating quality standards to accommodate the growing number of pilgrims with a focus on comfort, safety, and accessibility.

Madinah’s hospitality and tourism industries are also benefitting from investments in hotels, transportation, and cultural sites, supporting the city’s capacity to host its expanding visitor base.

Continued developments are expected to further solidify Madinah’s status as a world-class destination for religious tourism.

Recent tourism investments in Madinah have focused on expanding accommodation capacity, upgrading transport infrastructure, and developing cultural heritage sites to support the growing number of visitors.

New luxury hotels, integrated resort complexes, and enhanced public transit options, including upgraded airport facilities, have been prioritized.

Additionally, digital initiatives for visitor management and seamless pilgrimage experiences are being implemented.

These investments aim to improve convenience, comfort, and safety, supporting Madinah’s strategic goal of increasing religious tourism while preserving its spiritual and historical significance.

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