Saudi Services Imports Climb 8.4% on Travel Demand

Saudi Arabia's services imports rose to SAR 120.8 billion in the second quarter of 2026, an increase of 8.4% compared with SAR 111.4 billion in the previous quarter, driven largely by higher spending on travel.

Travel-service imports reached about SAR 25 billion, jumping 17% quarter-on-quarter. Personal travel made up the bulk of that spending, accounting for roughly 92% of all travel-service imports.

Transport services were the single largest import category, totalling SAR 34.1 billion. Within that group, maritime transport represented 40.8% of transport-service imports, reflecting the Kingdom's continued reliance on sea freight for the movement of goods.

Why it matters

The uptick in travel spending points to a steady recovery and growth in outbound and personal travel among residents, while the scale of transport imports underlines the role of logistics and shipping in supporting the wider economy.

For residents and businesses alike, the figures offer a snapshot of how demand for services is evolving across the Kingdom, with travel and transport remaining the key drivers of import activity this quarter.

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