WTM Spotlight Riyadh 2026 will gather over 6,500 regional and international visitors, including 150 international hosted buyers, to focus on tourism resilience and global industry partnerships. The event is designed as a B2B2C platform covering the travel ecosystem, from destinations and hospitality to transportation and travel technology, to reinforce Saudi Arabia’s role as one of the world’s fastest-growing tourism markets.
Saudi Arabia’s Tourism Growth in 2025 and Q1 2026
The Saudi Ministry of Tourism reported that Saudi Arabia hosted nearly 123 million domestic and international visitors in 2025. Tourism spending exceeded SAR 304 billion that year, surpassing Vision 2030 targets ahead of schedule. Visitor numbers in the first quarter
of 2026 rose 8% year-on-year to 37.2 million, while tourist expenditure reached SAR 82.7 billion.
Domestic tourism increased by 16% in Q1 2026, underscoring expanding local engagement. Passenger traffic at Saudi airports hit 140.9 million in 2025. Furthermore, Saudi Arabia’s international connectivity grew to 176 destinations by the end of 2025, according to data from the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT).
Tourism Infrastructure and Demand Projections
STR data confirm resilience and rising demand, especially in Jeddah since March 2026, attributed to its coastal appeal. Giga-projects in Riyadh are expected to drive rapid tourism demand recovery, projected to return to 2025 levels by February 2027.
The
Kingdom continues heavy investments in aviation, infrastructure, hospitality, and destination development. These initiatives align with the goal to attract 150 million annual visitors by 2030, supporting sustained sector growth.
Leadership and Recovery in Tourism Sector
Ibrahim Osta, Senior Economic Growth Director and Global Tourism Lead at Chemonics International, stated, “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.” This emphasizes leadership, investment, and collaboration as
keys to recovery.
Danielle Curtis, Regional Portfolio Director UAE at RX, highlighted Saudi Arabia’s tourism sector for its ability to recover, adapt, and grow, crediting Vision 2030 and sustained investment in infrastructure, aviation, hospitality, and visitor experiences for the robust tourism ecosystem.
WTM Spotlight Riyadh’s Role in Saudi and Global Tourism
WTM Spotlight Riyadh 2026 aims to support Saudi Arabia’s tourism growth and Vision 2030 goals by facilitating a focused environment where global stakeholders can establish partnerships, share knowledge, and explore opportunities. The event will feature three conference sessions delivered by the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) in partnership with George Washington University and Chemonics International.
The platform
connects Saudi Arabia’s tourism sector with destinations, travel brands, hospitality providers, airlines, technology firms, and buyers worldwide. It fosters international collaboration, supporting the Kingdom’s emergence as a driver of tourism innovation and investment.
