WTM Spotlight Riyadh 2026 is scheduled from September 8 to 10 at the Riyadh Front Exhibition & Conference Centre in Saudi Arabia, with the Saudi Ministry of Tourism announced as a strategic partner for the event. The three-day conference will focus on Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 tourism objectives, addressing outbound travel trends, visitor services, digital innovation, and workforce development.
Conference Programme Focuses on Vision 2030 Tourism Targets
Day one, themed “Driving Growth for Vision 2030,” will explore tourism’s economic and social impacts under Saudi Arabia’s national development plan. Sessions include community-based tourism, local asset protection, and workforce issues. The second day centers on “Outbound Demand & Market Access,”
emphasizing Saudi outbound travel growth. A Super Panel will analyze strategies to capture a $35 billion outbound spending opportunity. Topics like MICE travel, premium travel experiences, sector funding, and the Chinese traveler market will also be discussed. The final day, titled “Elevated Experiences & Connected Destinations,” will address infrastructure’s role in improving visitor engagement and unified travel routes, including air, sea, rail, and road. It will also cover entertainment, heritage tourism, sports, faith-based travel, and advancements in pilgrimage experiences. The event concludes with a session on the role of agentic AI in trip planning and customer service.
Key Participants and Industry Experts
Samer Al-Kharashi from
UN Tourism will discuss tourism’s impact on regional development and local community inclusion. In collaboration with Chemonics International, UN Tourism will present on community-based tourism promoting authentic local experiences. Dave Goodger, Managing Director for EMEA at Tourism Economics, will provide analysis on demand, travel expenditure, and traveler behavior patterns. A CEO forum will assemble executives from Almosafer Travel & Tourism Co, Cruise Saudi, and flyadeal to address resilience and flexibility in the travel, aviation, and hospitality sectors. Danielle Curtis, Regional Portfolio Director for the UAE at RX, emphasized Saudi Arabia’s rapid tourism growth and the event’s role in fostering investment
and partnerships.
Saudi Vision 2030 Tourism Framework
Tourism is a strategic pillar in Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 economic diversification, targeting a 10% contribution of tourism to GDP and 150 million annual domestic and international visitors by the end of the decade. WTM Spotlight Riyadh 2026 is positioned to support these goals by facilitating dialogue and collaboration among global tourism stakeholders to advance investment and sector development.
Official Statements and Industry Context
Danielle Curtis 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 event also addresses Saudi Arabia’s growing outbound travel market, opening new opportunities for destinations and travel companies worldwide.
WTM Spotlight Riyadh’s Role in Global Tourism
WTM Spotlight Riyadh 2026 serves as a B2B2C platform connecting Saudi and international tourism entities to promote business, investment, and networking. It aims to bridge the Kingdom’s tourism sector with global markets through conferences, meetings, and deal-making opportunities involving hotels, carriers, attractions, and technology providers.
