Thanks to a young workforce, robust demand, and attractive tourism, Tabuk is becoming one of Saudi Arabia’s most dynamic regions. In March 2025, during Ramadan’s “Chamber’s Diwaniya” festivities, the area’s mayor, Hussam bin Muwafaq Al-Youssef, spoke about the region’s investment possibilities.
He informed business leaders that the town had over 120 investment opportunities in large, medium, and small projects. He added that manufacturing, agriculture, mining, energy, and tourism had made Tabuk more attractive to investors.
Tabuk’s financial successes in 2024 included the launch of Sindalah Island in NEOM and the opening of Nujma, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve in the Red Sea. The Tabuk Toyota Rally and infrastructure improvements also increased global engagement.
Nicholas Nahas, a partner at Arthur D. Little, Middle East, said that developing Tabuk’s industrial city output and leasing agreements has raised the region’s corporate prominence.
He said, “It also advanced its plans to upgrade key infrastructure, including Tabuk airport, which increased flight operations by 25%, bringing more people to the region to boost tourism and economic activity.”
Technology futurist and author Ian Khan explained how Tabuk has benefited from Saudi government support to promote the region’s forward-thinking tactics and growth.
“The Ministry of Investment’s identification of approximately USD 13.3 billion in investment potential shows Tabuk’s strong vision in renewable energy, agriculture, tourism, and entrepreneurship. These industries make Tabuk a thriving Red Sea hub ready to attract future-focused companies and passengers,” Khan told Arab News.
Khan further said the Roads General Authority “truly accelerated” Tabuk’s connectivity by building over 8,000 km of new networks and 200 bridges.
“These roads and bridges don’t just help people get from A to B — they connect Tabuk to key mega-projects like NEOM, Amaala, and the Red Sea. This synergy multiplies Tabuk’s commercial, touristic, and social opportunities, creating a dynamic ecosystem where innovation thrives,” Khan added.
The author said that when the WHO named Tabuk a “Healthy City” in April 2024, it was one of the most joyful recognitions.
He said: “This honour underscores Tabuk’s unwavering dedication to enhancing residents’ quality of life through robust health and environmental initiatives, setting a powerful precedent for future urban development in the Kingdom.”
Tabuk wants to grow and diversify its tourism, ICT, agricultural, and renewable energy industries. Nahas told ADL that when NEOM, Red Sea, and Amaala opened their first attractions, Tabuk still had much to offer in the tourism sector.
He claimed the region has various heritage monuments, including the “Saudi Grand Canyon,” between Hisma Mountains and Qaraqir Valley, with sun, sand, adventure sports, and culture.
The region features 27 hotels and 60 furnished apartments, totalling about 4,000 rooms. To succeed, Tabuk should continue attracting tourists to maximise occupancy and hotel and hospitality supplies. Besides tourism, Tabuk will boost ICT and renewable energy.
Nahas claims that NEOM, a cognitive city, will enable self-driving cars and augmented/virtual reality experiences and provide unprecedented commercial connections.
“NEOM’s ambition will fuel the province’s ICT ambition and the nation’s innovation ambition,” Nahas said while noting that Tabuk’s abundant solar and wind resources will make it ideal for photovoltaic power facilities and coastal wind farms.
Khan said Tabuk was not slowing down and that international investment forums and a new logistics hub would boost its standing as a global investor destination.
In January 2024, Tabuk Investment & Tourism formed four subsidiary firms for hospitality, facilities management, events, and eco-friendly services. These enterprises show how Tabuk is combining world-class hospitality with sustainability, aligning with Saudi Vision 2030.
Khan says Tabuk’s “multi-pronged roadmap” — from health to tourism and tech — reflects a future-focused mindset rooted in Saudi Vision 2030’s transformative power.
It’s about leaving a legacy that will shape the Kingdom’s future, not merely building roads or eco-friendly hotels. From his futurist perspective, he claimed Tabuk’s story is just beginning.
A Key Economic Diversifier
To maximise the region’s potential and ensure an integrated infrastructure and promotion strategy, private and international investment and stakeholder participation are needed. Nahas from ADL stated that the Saudi Ministry of Investment reported SR40 billion (USD 13.3 billion) in investment prospects.
Three airports — Tabuk International, NEOM Bay, and Al Wash Airport — connect the region to Dubai, Cairo, Riyadh, and Madinah, making it easy for speculators to visit. Tabuk also offers over 120 investment opportunities in many areas, including major, medium, and small-scale projects. To attract visitors, ADL believes these airports must expand operations and connections.
“Road and marine connectivity will also be vital. Tabuk has one of the region’s most linked road networks, which is being modernised to support economic development and the transportation of people and goods,” Nahas said.
He stated that the Saudi Tourism Authority, destination management businesses, and marketing organisations would need to work together to promote the region across its development clusters.
“These stakeholders can coordinate, promote, and sell Tabuk’s rich portfolio of offerings globally,” Nahas noted, while elaborating that these projects would boost Tabuk’s global economic and tourism position in 2025 and beyond. Khan sees Tabuk’s progress as consistent with Saudi Vision 2030’s resilience, diversification, and boundary-pushing innovation.
Tabuk is doubling down on renewable energy projects to meet the national goal of generating 50% of electricity from renewables by 2030 by exploiting its copious sunlight and wind resources. He called it a roadmap for a sustainable, future-ready economy, not merely an energy policy.
Khan said NEOM expands Tabuk’s economy and opens new building, tech, and services opportunities by attracting large international investment.
Additionally, Tabuk University is training future disruptors and innovators. He added that the institution prepares Tabuk’s workers for this surge of growth across numerous industries by offering specialised programmes in engineering, computer science, health sciences, and business administration.