Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Tourism has partnered with WTM Spotlight Riyadh as the strategic partner for the inaugural travel industry event, aimed at connecting international tourism businesses with Saudi Arabia and enabling Saudi companies to access global markets.
Event Details and Participants
WTM Spotlight Riyadh will be held from September 8 to 10, 2026, at the Riyadh Front Exhibition & Conference Center (RFECC). The three-day event will gather tourism authorities, destinations, hospitality companies, airlines, travel technology firms, investors, buyers, and industry leaders to explore business and investment opportunities within Saudi Arabia.
Vision 2030 Tourism Goals
This partnership is part of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 economic diversification strategy, aiming
for tourism to contribute 10% of GDP and attract 150 million domestic and international visitors annually by 2030. Recent figures from the Ministry of Tourism indicate ongoing growth in visitor numbers and tourism spending, reflecting the sector’s expanding economic role.
Official Statements and Event Focus
Danielle Curtis, Regional Portfolio Director, UAE, at RX, commented, “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 event will serve as a B2B2C platform spanning the broader travel and tourism ecosystem, emphasizing Saudi Arabia’s dual role as an inbound destination and a major outbound travel market.
Global Investment and Collaboration
The partnership highlights Saudi Arabia’s ambitions to elevate its tourism sector’s global prominence by fostering international partnerships, supporting investment, and encouraging collaboration across the tourism industry through the dedicated WTM Spotlight Riyadh conference and exhibition.
