Saudi Arabia partners with WTM Spotlight Riyadh to drive global tourism investment

Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Tourism has partnered with WTM Spotlight Riyadh as the strategic partner for the inaugural edition of the travel industry event, as the Kingdom seeks to deepen international collaboration and attract investment to its expanding tourism sector.

WTM Spotlight Riyadh will take place from September 8–10, 2026, at the Riyadh Front Exhibition & Conference Center (RFECC). The event is designed to connect international tourism businesses with Saudi Arabia while providing Saudi companies with access to global markets.

The three-day event will bring together tourism authorities, destinations, hospitality companies, airlines, travel technology firms, investors, buyers and industry leaders to explore business and investment opportunities across the Kingdom.

The partnership comes as tourism plays an increasingly important role in Saudi Arabia’s economic diversification strategy under Vision 2030. The Kingdom aims for tourism to contribute 10% of GDP and attract 150 million domestic and international visitors annually by the end of the decade.

Recent Ministry of Tourism figures indicate continued growth in visitor numbers and tourism spending, supporting the Kingdom’s push to establish itself as a leading global tourism destination.

WTM Spotlight Riyadh is expected to attract exhibitors and visitors from international markets, including travel industry executives and hosted buyers. The event will focus on both Saudi Arabia’s ambitions to attract more international visitors and its position as a major outbound travel market.

Organizers describe the event as a B2B2C platform spanning the broader travel and tourism ecosystem, aimed at creating business connections between Saudi and international companies.

“Our strategic partnership with the Ministry of Tourism is a defining moment for the inaugural WTM Spotlight Riyadh and reflects the Kingdom’s ambition to play an even greater role in shaping the future of global tourism,” said Danielle Curtis, regional portfolio director, UAE, RX.

She said the event would bring together decision-makers from the international travel industry while giving travel professionals access to Saudi Arabia’s tourism market.

“WTM Spotlight Riyadh has been designed to create meaningful business connections, encourage the exchange of ideas and provide international travel professionals with direct access to one of the world’s most exciting tourism markets,” Curtis said.

The partnership is intended to support investment, international partnerships and collaboration across the tourism industry as Saudi Arabia continues to develop its tourism infrastructure and pursue the objectives of Vision 2030.