Published on October 20, 2025
Madinah is becoming 1 of nan strongest tourism and hospitality centers successful nan country. According to administrative data, nan assemblage accounted for 11% of nan city’s full workforce arsenic of early 2025. This led nan Al Madinah Al Munawarah Chamber to corroborate that tourism is nan 4th largest assemblage successful nan region.
This demonstrates Madinah’s expanding request for hospitality arsenic shown by nan city’s highest edifice occupancy complaint successful nan state arsenic of precocious 2024, arsenic serviced flat occupancy rates skyrocketed to 48.7%. This intends that travelers are staying longer; connected average, 4 nights, which is 2nd to Makkah.
It’s successful full alignment pinch nan objectives of nan Saudi Vision 2030, which is connected a ngo to position tourism and hospitality arsenic nan cardinal blocks for nan country’s economy. It besides intends to beforehand tourism diversification, sustainable metropolis development, and showcase nan country’s taste and belief practice to nan world.
Solid hospitality performance
Madinah’s hospitality manufacture recorded nan highest hotel-occupancy complaint successful nan Kingdom successful nan last 4th of 2024. Service-apartment occupancy reached astir 48.7%, signalling dependable visitant demand.
Visitors enactment longer
On average, guests successful Madinah enactment astir four nights, which is nan second-highest long successful nan Kingdom aft Makkah.
Strategic alignment pinch Vision 2030
These employment and tourism trends support nan goals of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, which intends to diversify nan economy, create quality superior and found tourism and hospitality arsenic sustainable maturation pillars.
Traveller’s Guide to Madinah
Getting location & transport
- Madinah is served by nan Prince Muhammad bin Abdulaziz International Airport and is connected via nan Haramain high-speed obstruction network, making entree from awesome Saudi cities straightforward.
- Within nan region, taxis, ride-sharing apps and edifice shuttles are readily available; cheque pinch your lodging supplier for transfers.
Accommodation tips
- Given beardown occupancy rates, particularly successful high-season periods, it’s wise to book hotels and serviced apartments successful advance.
- For a quieter stay, see hotels somewhat extracurricular nan cardinal Old City district, still well-connected but often little successful rate.
- If your sojourn coincides pinch belief events aliases Hajj/Umrah peaks, expect rates and request to beryllium notably higher.
What to spot & do
- Explore historical mosques, practice sites and nan Old City’s winding lanes — Madinah region lists complete 1,500 registered archaeological sites.
- Visit taste attractions specified arsenic museums and galleries which bespeak nan region’s Islam-heritage and Saudi Arabia’s renewed attraction connected tourism experiences.
- Shopping and dining: Look for section markets and modern malls; scheme immoderate clip for accepted eateries to sample location cuisine.
Stay-length & pacing
- With an mean enactment of astir 4 nights, let astatine slightest 3-4 afloat days to sorb nan main highlights without rushing.
- Schedule 1 relaxed time successful your scheme for wandering aliases unplanned exploration — nan region has extent beyond header sites.
Travel timing & climate
- Madinah’s ambiance tin beryllium warm, particularly daytime; scheme outdoor visits for early greeting aliases later afternoon.
- Shoulder seasons often bring much comfortable upwind and somewhat little accommodation rates.
Behaviour & taste respect
- Madinah is 1 of Islam’s holiest cities; dress modestly, travel section customs and abide by immoderate site-specific rules.
- Be alert of dream times and respect nan serenity of belief sites — this ensures a much meaningful and respectful visit.
Investment & tourism maturation opportunities
- With a workforce stock of 11% successful tourism, Madinah’s system is shifting: lodging, entertainment, civilization and services are each expanding.
- The section authorities reports 743 visitor-accommodation accommodation and complete 6,000 restaurant/catering establishments successful nan region, reflecting wide infrastructure growth.
- For nan adventurous traveller, see staying successful newly-opened boutique hotels aliases conception serviced apartments — some are portion of nan region’s evolving offering.
In summary: Madinah is overmuch much than conscionable a halfway for religion; It’s a awesome halfway for tourism and hospitality because of nan fantabulous employment figures and precocious occupancy rates. With multi-night stays, Madinah’s rich | practice and precocious infrastructure pull travelers, and nan metropolis genuinely brings matured tourism to nan region. Immersive exploration is imaginable astatine Madinah complete a 3 to 4 time period. Travelers tin attack nan metropolis connected ft for a comfortable gait and progressive interaction.