WTM Spotlight Riyadh 2026 is scheduled for 8–10 September 2026 at the Riyadh Front Exhibition & Conference Center (RFECC). The event centers on human capital development as a critical element supporting Saudi Arabia’s next stage of tourism growth. Saudi and international tourism leaders, policymakers, educators, and industry experts will participate, targeting the creation of sustainable capacity within the kingdom’s expanding tourism sector.
Tourism Workforce Composition in Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia currently employs just over one million people in tourism-related roles, with Saudi nationals comprising approximately 25 percent of this workforce, according to data from the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT). This distribution highlights a shift from
employment quantity towards developing quality jobs and career pathways for Saudi nationals within the sector.
Saudi Vision 2030 Tourism Targets
The kingdom aims to attract 150 million visitors and generate over one million tourism jobs by 2030. This ambitious vision calls for a workforce capable of supporting diverse tourism activities, including hospitality, infrastructure development, technology, and cultural engagement, in line with broader economic diversification goals.
Future Stage Session on Talent and Leadership
A key feature of WTM Spotlight Riyadh 2026 is the Future Stage session titled “Talent & Leadership Panel: One Million Tourism Careers – Delivering Saudi Arabia’s Tourism Vision Beyond 2030.” Scheduled for the event’s final day, this session will be
moderated by Ibrahim Osta, Senior Economic Growth Director and Global Tourism Lead at Chemonics International and professor at George Washington University. The panel includes representatives from the King Salman Gate Project, Red Sea Global, King Saud University, Jamaica’s Minister of Tourism, Qiddiya, and the Saudi Ministry of Tourism, covering perspectives on workforce education, capability building, and leadership development.
Challenges and Workforce Evolution
The tourism workforce is expected to become increasingly multidisciplinary, involving engineering, infrastructure, hospitality, retail, culture, mobility, and technology. Skills in AI, data analytics, immersive technologies (AR/VR), crowd management, event operations, risk and safety, sustainability, and bilingual guest services will be pivotal. King
Salman Gate, a major development near AlMasjid AlHaram, is projected to create over 300,000 jobs by 2036, exemplifying the scale and variety of employment opportunities arising from integrated destination projects.
Experts assert that developing career paths beyond training centers requires occupational standards, recognized qualifications, employer demand, and clear hiring and progression routes for Saudi nationals. Investment in human capital is positioned as essential to converting tourism growth into lasting national capability and leadership.
WTM Spotlight Riyadh as an Industry Platform
WTM Spotlight Riyadh has been established to connect Saudi Arabia’s fast-growing tourism ecosystem with international markets and stakeholders. The event facilitates collaboration, knowledge exchange, and business opportunities
as the kingdom continues to develop its tourism sector aligned with Vision 2030.
Chemonics International, with over 50 years of experience in sustainable tourism and destination development across more than 60 countries, delivers global expertise on workforce and destination development. RX, the event organizer, operates in 25 countries across 42 sectors, managing about 350 events annually, and is part of RELX, which employs more than 36,000 people worldwide and serves customers in over 180 countries.
