On behalf of H.E. Ahmed Al-Khateeb, STA CEO officially opens inaugural WTM Spotlight Riyadh
On behalf of H.E. Ahmed Al-Khateeb,
Minister of Tourism, Saudi Tourism Authority (STA) CEO Ageel AlShaibani has
officially opened the inaugural WTM Spotlight Riyadh, marking the launch of a new
international meeting place for the travel and tourism industry as Saudi Arabia
continues its transformation into one of the world’s most dynamic tourism markets
under Vision 2030.
Event Overview
- Officially opened by Ageel AlShaibani, CEO of Saudi Tourism Authority (STA), on behalf of H.E. Ahmed Al-Khateeb, Minister of Tourism.
- Hosted at Riyadh Front Exhibition & Conference Center (RFECC), organized by RX in partnership with the Ministry of Tourism.
- Designed as a new international meeting place for the travel and tourism industry, connecting destinations, airlines, hospitality providers, tech firms, investors, and buyers.
Strategic Importance
- Tourism is a pillar of Vision 2030, targeted to contribute 10% of GDP.
- Saudi Arabia aims to welcome 150 million visitors annually by 2030.
- Tourism spending grew 5% year-on-year in H1 2026, showing strong fundamentals.
Key Exhibitors
- Saudi brands: Amsa Hospitality, Taiba Investments, flyadeal, Hilton KSA Hotels, The Jeddah Edition.
- International brands: Accor, MSC Cruises, Delta Air Lines, Etihad Airways, Webook.com.
Conference Highlights
- Day 1 (Sept 8): Driving Growth for Vision 2030 – Policy Panel on regulation, visas, and private sector participation.
- Day 2 (Sept 9): Outbound Demand & Market Access – Innovation Startup Showcase featuring Red Sea Global, Tourism Development Fund, EyeGo, and UN Global Compact.
- Day 3 (Sept 10): Experiences, Connectivity & Technology – Focus on AI, mobility, and hyper-personalization, led by Salman A. Alarifi (Ministry of Tourism).
Big Picture
WTM Spotlight Riyadh is more than a trade show—it’s a strategic platform to connect Saudi Arabia’s rapidly growing tourism sector with global partners. It reflects the Kingdom’s ambition to become a top-tier tourism hub, blending policy, innovation, and technology to reshape visitor experiences.
This event sits alongside other major initiatives like Saudi Vision 2030’s aviation expansion and partnerships with airlines, hotels, and tech firms, showing how Saudi Arabia is building a holistic tourism ecosystem.
