Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH — The Ministry of Tourism announced a sharp increase in the number of licensed tour guides across Saudi Arabia in 2024, with a total of 3,284 licenses issued — marking a 168% jump from 1,221 licenses issued in 2023.

Makkah topped the list with 986 tour guide licenses, followed by Riyadh with 665, and Madinah with 477. Tabuk, the Eastern Region, and Aseer followed with 337, 319, and 252 licenses, respectively.

This substantial growth is a direct result of the Ministry of Tourism’s ongoing efforts to develop and regulate the Kingdom’s tourism sector.

The streamlined process for obtaining tour guide credentials aims to improve the quality of tourist services for both domestic and international visitors, supporting the impressive expansion of Saudi Arabia’s tourism industry.