Domestic travel made up 46% of Almosafer's total bookings in the first seven months of 2026, with local bookings up 13% year on year and room nights up 44%. Room nights in Makkah and Madinah rose 53%, Red Sea room nights rose more than 4,000% against the same period last year, and the Red Sea recorded the highest average booking value of any destination Saudi travellers booked, ahead of Paris and London.
Even with regional tension, travellers kept moving. They changed their routes, and the destination that saw the most demand now has the highest average booking value in the market.
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Arada lands with SAR 50 billion
UAE developer Arada launched Arada KSA with local partner Xtopia, giving it access to a 10 million sqm land portfolio worth SAR 50 billion in Riyadh, Jeddah and Makkah; its first project is a SAR 14 billion community of about 3,500 villas and townhouses on around 2.5 million sqm in Riyadh's Al Rimal district, funded through a CMA-regulated structure, with sales and construction starting in 2027.
Launching a SAR 14 billion project in a slow market is a big gamble on Saudi housing demand. If you handle land acquisition for a local developer, expect strong new competition for every large plot.
Fifty-seven studies, three eighty-four recommendations
The Riyadh Economic Forum has produced 57 scientific studies and issued 384 recommendations and initiatives over its 11 previous editions, alongside 157 seminars and workshops, 122 discussion panels and 20 published bulletins across roughly 25 years. The 12th edition runs 12–14 October 2026, organised by the Riyadh Chamber under the patronage of King Salman bin Abdulaziz, bringing together officials, decision-makers and economic experts from the Kingdom and the region.
Influence here comes from research rather than attendance, so a trade association preparing for the October edition should bring data instead of a delegation.
13.99 million insured workers
Saudi Arabia's social insurance scheme covered 13.99 million public and private sector employees at the end of Q2 2026, according to GOSI data. Saudis numbered 3.17 million, or 23%, and expatriates about 10.82 million, or 77%. The private sector accounted for 13.35 million, or 95%, and Riyadh for about 7.24 million. In the quarter, 245,600 people suspended their subscription, 103,400 of them Saudis.
Saudis make up 23% of insured workers, but they account for 103,400 out of 245,600 suspensions. Because of this, a workforce-programme manager should monitor employee exits each quarter just as carefully as new hires.
