Madinah Leads the Region - 73% of Visitors Pick It First
Assalamu alaikum - The holy city of Madinah has come out on top as the most chosen destination in the region, according to a recent report from the Madinah Chamber of Commerce.
The chamber’s findings showed that 73.7 percent of visitors to the region selected Madinah as their primary stop, attracted by its deep sacred meaning and historical ties to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
Madinah was listed among the top 100 global destinations and earned seventh place worldwide on the tourism performance index, highlighting how the city blends spiritual importance with cultural and economic appeal.
The report also pointed out that 47.2 percent of incoming tourists visited AlUla governorate for its cultural events, historic sites and UNESCO locations, while 14.1 percent of domestic travelers went to Yanbu governorate for its beaches and family-friendly marine and leisure offerings.
Officials say these figures show fast growth in the Madinah region’s tourism sector, thanks to coordinated efforts across the national tourism system to support destinations and raise the Kingdom’s profile internationally, in line with Saudi Vision 2030. The Madinah Region Development Authority was praised for carrying out important development and tourism projects.
A resident, Ahmad Al-Otaibi from Taif who works in Riyadh, shared: “Madinah has always been close to our hearts. Nothing matches its peaceful atmosphere - the city feels alive every day of the year, yet it still brings calm.” He thanked the development authority for improving infrastructure and services for religious visitors, which has helped raise quality of life and the experience for both pilgrims and residents.
Madinah also led Saudi cities in hotel occupancy during the first half of 2025, hitting 74.7 percent, per a Ministry of Tourism report. Licensed hospitality facilities in the city grew to 538 properties (69 new licenses) and total hotel rooms reached 64,569, including 6,628 new rooms.
This expansion reinforces Madinah’s role as a premier destination for religious travel and shows how large development projects are boosting accommodation capacity and service standards, matching the goals of Saudi Vision 2030.
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