Record growth for the digital economy and tourism in Saudi Arabia within the framework of Vision 2030
Positive indicators reflect the success of the national transformation
A recent report issued by the Saudi Ministry of Commerce on the Kingdom's Vision 2030 targets for 2025 revealed rapid and significant growth in several promising economic sectors. The report highlighted a substantial increase in the number of existing commercial registrations in activities related to the digital economy, entertainment, tourism, and modern technologies, confirming that the Kingdom's economic diversification plans are steadily progressing towards achieving their objectives.
General context: Vision 2030 as a roadmap for the future
The Kingdom’s Vision 2030 was launched in 2016 under the leadership of His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, as an ambitious roadmap to transform the Kingdom into a global investment powerhouse and a hub connecting three continents. The Vision primarily aims to reduce the Kingdom’s dependence on oil, diversify its sources of income, and develop public service sectors such as health, education, infrastructure, entertainment, and tourism. Since its launch, the Kingdom has undergone extensive economic and social reforms, including improving the business environment and streamlining procedures to attract both domestic and foreign investment.
Significant growth in digital economy sectors
According to the report, activities based on modern technologies witnessed significant growth. The number of commercial registrations in artificial intelligence (AI) activities reached 19,042 in 2025, compared to 14,163 in 2024. Cybersecurity activities also saw a substantial increase, registering 9,766 compared to 7,689 during the same period. This reflects the significant expansion in the adoption of digital technologies and the strengthening of the economy's digital infrastructure. As for e-commerce, the number of registrations rose to 43,854 in 2025, up from 40,041 the previous year, demonstrating the continued growth of this vital sector and the increasing reliance on digital channels for conducting business.
The entertainment and tourism sectors: new engines for the economy
Growth wasn't limited to the digital sector; it extended to the entertainment and tourism sectors, which are key pillars of Vision 2030. Commercial registrations for amusement parks and games rose to 8,376 in 2025, compared to 7,071 in 2024. Similarly, the number of registrations for operating entertainment venues reached 10,402, up from 8,672. This growth reflects the increasing domestic demand for entertainment activities and the expansion of investments in this promising sector. In the tourism sector, the number of registrations for tour operators reached 10,665 in 2025, a significant increase from 6,476 in 2024, indicating the expansion of tourism activity and the growing contribution of the private sector.
Importance and expected impact
This growth carries broad positive implications at the local, regional, and international levels. Locally, it contributes to creating thousands of jobs for citizens, improving quality of life, and strengthening the role of the private sector as a key driver of development. Regionally, these figures solidify the Kingdom's position as a leading hub for business, technology, and tourism in the Middle East. Internationally, this progress enhances the Kingdom's attractiveness to foreign direct investment and confirms to the world the success of its economic transformation plans.
The Ministry of Commerce confirmed that these indicators reflect the diversity of the economic base in the Kingdom and the accelerated growth of promising sectors, as a result of improving the legislative environment and facilitating procedures for starting and conducting business, which supports achieving the goals of Vision 2030 in developing the digital economy and enhancing the role of the private sector.
