Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Tourism has formed a strategic partnership with WTM Spotlight Riyadh to support the inaugural edition of the event scheduled for September 8 to 10, 2026, at the Riyadh Front Exhibition & Conference Center. The collaboration aims to enhance international cooperation and attract investment in the Kingdom’s growing tourism sector.
Event Participants and Objectives
The three-day conference will assemble representatives from tourism authorities, destination management organizations, hospitality companies, airlines, travel technology providers, investors, buyers, and industry executives. The event is designed to link international tourism businesses with the Saudi market, while enabling local companies to access global opportunities.
Alignment with Vision 2030 Economic Goals
The Ministry’s partnership
with WTM Spotlight Riyadh supports Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 economic diversification plan, which targets tourism to generate 10% of the national GDP and receive 150 million domestic and international visitors annually by 2030. Recent data reflect consistent growth in visitor numbers and spending, reinforcing the Kingdom’s push to become a leading global tourism destination.
International Reach and Business Platform
WTM Spotlight Riyadh will attract exhibitors and attendees from multiple international markets, including travel executives and hosted buyers. The event is structured as a B2B2C platform encompassing the broader travel ecosystem, facilitating business development between Saudi entities and global partners. It addresses both the Kingdom’s goal
of increasing inbound tourism and its role as a significant outbound travel market.
Danielle Curtis, regional portfolio director for the UAE at event organizer RX, characterized the strategic partnership with the Ministry of Tourism as a defining moment for the event. She stated it reflects Saudi Arabia’s ambitions to expand its influence in global tourism. Curtis emphasized the event’s purpose to foster meaningful business connections and provide travel professionals with direct access to one of the world’s fastest-growing tourism markets.
