WTM Spotlight Riyadh to highlight tourism resilience and strengthen global industry partnerships

WTM Spotlight Riyadh will showcase the strength, resilience and rapid growth of Saudi Arabia’s tourism sector, bringing together global industry leaders to strengthen partnerships, explore new opportunities and reinforce confidence in one of the world’s fastest-growing tourism markets.

Event Focus
- Dates: 8–10 September 2026
- Venue: Riyadh Front Exhibition & Conference Center (RFECC)
- Audience: 6,500+ regional & international visitors, 150 hosted buyers.
- Purpose: Strengthen global partnerships, showcase Saudi Arabia’s tourism resilience, and reinforce confidence in one of the fastest-growing markets.

Key Insights
- STR Data: Jeddah showing strong demand since March 2026; Riyadh giga-projects expected to drive rebound in 2027.
- Saudi Ministry of Tourism: Q1 2026 saw 37.2M visitors (+8% YoY), SAR82.7B in spending, domestic tourism up 16%.
- 2025 Milestone: 123M visitors, SAR304B spending — surpassing Vision 2030 targets early.

Infrastructure Growth
- Passenger traffic: 140.9M in 2025.
- Connectivity: Expanded to 176 international destinations.
- Investments: Hospitality developments, airport expansions, enhanced visitor experiences.
- Goal: 150M annual visitors by 2030.

Industry Perspectives
- WTTC research: No destination suffers permanent collapse post-crisis; recovery often leads to stronger growth.
- Leadership & investment cited as critical drivers of resilience.
- Danielle Curtis (RX): Saudi Arabia exemplifies adaptability and growth through Vision 2030 investments.
- Ibrahim Osta (Chemonics): Recovery is a deliberate choice, not luck — bold investment during crises accelerates rebound.

✨ Takeaway: WTM Spotlight Riyadh positions Saudi Arabia as a global tourism hub, reinforcing its Vision 2030 ambitions by showcasing resilience, connectivity, and collaboration across the travel ecosystem.