Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Tourism has partnered with WTM Spotlight Riyadh as the strategic partner for the inaugural edition of the travel industry event. This partnership aims to deepen international collaboration and attract investment to Saudi Arabia’s expanding tourism sector.
Event Details and Participants
WTM Spotlight Riyadh will take place from September 8–10, 2026, lasting three days at the Riyadh Front Exhibition & Conference Center. The event brings together tourism authorities, destinations, hospitality companies, airlines, travel technology firms, investors, buyers, and industry leaders to foster business connections between Saudi and international companies.
Vision 2030 Tourism Goals
The event supports Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 objectives, which include increasing tourism’s
contribution to 10% of GDP by the end of the decade and attracting 150 million domestic and international visitors annually by 2030.
Official Statements on Partnership
Danielle Curtis, regional portfolio director for UAE at RX, said, “Our strategic partnership with the Ministry of Tourism is a defining moment for the inaugural WTM Spotlight Riyadh and reflects the Kingdom’s ambition to play an even greater role in shaping the future of global tourism.” She added that, “WTM Spotlight Riyadh has been designed to create meaningful business connections, encourage the exchange of ideas and provide international travel professionals with direct access to one of the world’s
most exciting tourism markets.”
Economic Diversification and Tourism Growth
The partnership aligns with Saudi Arabia’s economic diversification strategy under Vision 2030. Tourism plays an increasingly important role in this strategy, with recent Ministry of Tourism figures showing growth in visitor numbers and tourism spending. Saudi Arabia seeks to establish itself as a leading global tourism destination by supporting investment, international partnerships and collaboration as it develops its tourism infrastructure.
