WTM Spotlight Riyadh will debut in September 2026 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, featuring over 6,500 regional and international visitors along with 150 international hosted buyers. The event aims to demonstrate the rapid growth and resilience of Saudi Arabia’s tourism sector, strengthen global partnerships, and explore new market opportunities.
Saudi Arabia’s tourism performance reached significant milestones in recent years. In 2025, the Kingdom recorded almost 123 million domestic and international visitors, with tourism spending surpassing SAR304 billion. Passenger traffic across Saudi airports totaled 140.9 million, supported by expanded connectivity to 176 international destinations. In the first quarter of 2026, visitor numbers
increased 8% year-on-year to reach 37.2 million, with tourist expenditure amounting to SAR82.7 billion. Domestic tourism surged 16% during the same period, reflecting robust local demand.
>Tourism Sector Resilience and Leadership
Research by the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), conducted with George Washington University and Chemonics International, confirmed the tourism sector’s resilience driven by leadership, investment, and collaboration. Ibrahim Osta, Senior Economic Growth Director and Global Tourism Lead at Chemonics International, emphasized that recovery is a strategic choice, stating, “Recovery doesn’t just happen – it’s a decision. The destinations that came back fastest are the ones that made the bold decision to invest at
the height of the crisis, protected their businesses, and controlled their own narrative when everyone else went quiet. That is not luck. That is leadership.” STR data shows that Jeddah’s tourism demand has remained strong since March 2026, aided by its coastal location. Riyadh’s giga-projects are forecasted to drive a swift demand rebound by February 2027 to levels matching those of 2025.
>Infrastructure Expansion and Vision 2030 Ambitions
Saudi Arabia continues substantial investment in aviation, hospitality, and tourism infrastructure to meet Vision 2030 targets of hosting 150 million visitors annually by 2030. The Kingdom’s airports handled 140.9 million passengers in 2025, with connectivity extending to 176
countries worldwide. Development of new hospitality projects, expanded airport capacity, and enhanced visitor attractions underpin the country’s strategic growth plans.
>WTM Spotlight Riyadh’s Role in Supporting Tourism Growth
WTM Spotlight Riyadh is designed as a comprehensive B2B2C platform that integrates all sectors of the travel ecosystem, including destinations, hospitality providers, attractions, transportation, travel technology, and tourism services. The event includes pre-arranged business meetings, curated networking, and an extensive conference programme delivered in part by Chemonics International. Danielle Curtis, Regional Portfolio Director for the UAE at RX, noted that the event provides a concentrated environment for international and regional stakeholders to form partnerships and discover new opportunities aligned with
Vision 2030.
By linking global travel industry leaders directly with the Saudi market, WTM Spotlight Riyadh supports the Kingdom’s ambition to accelerate tourism innovation, investment, and economic diversification through strengthened connectivity and partnership.
