WTM Spotlight Riyadh will highlight the resilience and rapid growth of Saudi Arabia’s tourism sector, bringing together global industry leaders to strengthen partnerships, explore business opportunities and reinforce confidence in one of the world’s fastest-growing travel markets.
The event will take place from September 8–10 at the Riyadh Front Exhibition & Conference CentrE (RFECC).
New insights from STR
show the Kingdom’s tourism industry continues to perform strongly, with Jeddah
benefiting from sustained demand since March 2026 due to its coastal appeal.
Growth forecasts have been revised upward, with momentum expected to continue
through 2027.
In Riyadh, major
giga-projects are forecast to drive a strong recovery in demand during 2027,
with occupancy levels expected to return to 2025 levels by February.
The findings reflect
Saudi Arabia’s broader tourism performance.
According to the
Ministry of Tourism, the Kingdom welcomed 37.2 million visitors in the first
quarter of 2026, an 8% increase year-on-year, while tourism spending reached
SAR82.7 billion ($22 billion).
Domestic tourism grew
by 16%, highlighting growing confidence in the Kingdom’s expanding tourism
offering.
In 2025, Saudi Arabia
welcomed nearly 123 million domestic and international visitors, generating
more than SAR304 billion in tourism spending and surpassing its Vision 2030
tourism targets ahead of schedule.
Danielle Curtis,
Regional Portfolio Director, UAE, RX, said: “Tourism has consistently
demonstrated an extraordinary ability to recover, adapt and grow, even in the
face of significant challenges. Saudi Arabia's tourism sector is an excellent
example of this resilience. Supported by Vision 2030 and continued investment
in tourism infrastructure, aviation, hospitality, and visitor experiences, the
Kingdom has built a robust ecosystem that continues to generate growth, attract
investment, and create opportunities across the travel value chain.
By bringing together
international and regional travel stakeholders, WTM Spotlight Riyadh provides a
focused environment where meaningful business relationships can be established
and developed, knowledge can be shared, and new opportunities can be unlocked.”
Research by the World
Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), in partnership with George Washington
University and Chemonics International, also highlights that recovery is driven
by leadership, investment and collaboration.
Ibrahim Osta, Senior
Economic Growth Director & Global Tourism Lead at Chemonics International,
said: “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
will welcome more than 6,500 regional and international visitors, including 150
hosted buyers.
The B2B2C event will connect destinations, tourism authorities, airlines, hospitality providers and technology companies through business meetings, networking opportunities and conference sessions, supporting Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 ambitions and strengthening its position as a global tourism hub. -TTN
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