Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Tourism is the strategic partner of the inaugural WTM Spotlight Riyadh event, to be held from September 8 to 10, 2026, at the Riyadh Front Exhibition & Conference Center (RFECC). The partnership aims to boost global tourism investment and increase international collaboration in the Saudi tourism sector.
WTM Spotlight Riyadh is a three-day B2B2C platform connecting international tourism businesses with Saudi Arabia and vice versa. It will bring together tourism authorities, destinations, hospitality companies, airlines, travel technology firms, investors, buyers, and industry leaders to explore business and investment opportunities.
Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 strategy targets tourism
to contribute 10% of the GDP by 2030 and to attract 150 million domestic and international visitors annually by the end of the decade. The event supports this goal by fostering partnerships and investment in the expanding tourism infrastructure.
Danielle Curtis, regional portfolio director, UAE, RX, stated, “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, “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.”
The partnership reflects Saudi Arabia’s ambition to deepen international collaboration to attract investment as part of its economic diversification under Vision 2030. Recent Ministry of Tourism figures indicate growth in visitor numbers and tourism spending, illustrating the Kingdom’s commitment to becoming a leading global tourism destination.
