WTM Spotlight Riyadh 2026 will gather more than 6,500 regional and international visitors, including 150 international hosted buyers, to showcase the resilience and rapid expansion of Saudi Arabia’s tourism sector. The event aims to strengthen global industry partnerships, unlock new opportunities, and reinforce confidence in one of the fastest-growing tourism markets worldwide.
Data from the Saudi Ministry of Tourism reveals that visitor numbers rose 8% year-on-year to 37.2 million in the first quarter of 2026. Tourist spending during the same period reached SAR82.7 billion, supported by a 16% increase in domestic tourism. In 2025, Saudi Arabia welcomed nearly 123 million
domestic and international visitors, generating more than SAR304 billion in tourism expenditure, surpassing the targets set by Vision 2030 ahead of schedule.
According to STR, Jeddah has experienced strong tourism demand since March 2026, driven by its strategic coastal location. The data indicates that Riyadh’s giga-projects will enable a swift rebound in tourism demand, projected to return to 2025 levels by February 2027. These developments underpin the Kingdom’s expanding tourism offerings and expected growth trajectory.
Passenger traffic at Saudi airports totaled 140.9 million in 2025, while connectivity to 176 international destinations has expanded, according to the General Authority for Statistics
(GASTAT). Saudi Arabia continues to invest heavily in aviation infrastructure, airport capacity, hospitality developments, and enhanced visitor experiences to sustain tourism growth aligned with Vision 2030’s goal of welcoming 150 million visitors annually by 2030.
Danielle Curtis, Regional Portfolio Director, UAE, RX, highlighted the sector’s resilience, crediting Vision 2030 and ongoing investments for Saudi Arabia’s robust tourism recovery. Ibrahim Osta, Senior Economic Growth Director and Global Tourism Lead at Chemonics International, emphasized that decisive leadership and strategic investment during crises drive recovery. He 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.”
WTM Spotlight Riyadh provides a dedicated B2B2C platform featuring destinations, hospitality providers, transportation, travel technology, and tourism services. The event facilitates pre-arranged business meetings, networking opportunities, and a robust conference program, including sessions delivered by the World Travel & Tourism Council in partnership with George Washington University and Chemonics International. The platform connects Saudi Arabia with global stakeholders to advance tourism innovation, investment, and collaboration aligned
with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 ambitions.
