The Ministry of Tourism of Saudi Arabia has been named the Strategic Partner for WTM Spotlight Riyadh, the inaugural event scheduled to take place from September 8–10, 2026, at the Riyadh Front Exhibition & Conference Center. The partnership aims to support tourism growth and international collaboration as the Kingdom pursues its wider tourism objectives under Vision 2030.
Designed to connect international travel businesses with Saudi Arabia’s expanding tourism sector, the event will bring together destinations, tourism authorities, hospitality providers, airlines, travel technology companies, investors, consumers, and industry leaders. International buyers and travel professionals will also attend, creating a platform for business development and partnerships across the Kingdom.
Event Structure and Goals
WTM Spotlight Riyadh is structured as a B2B2C platform. It will support Saudi Arabia’s inbound tourism ambitions while giving international travel businesses access to the Kingdom’s outbound travel market. The event’s focus on facilitating business connections, investment, and collaboration positions it as a significant gathering for the global travel industry.
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Danielle Curtis, Regional Portfolio Director – UAE at RX Global, which organizes the event, said the partnership marks a defining moment. “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,” she said. Curtis added that the organizations are building an event that brings together decision-makers from across the international travel industry while supporting Saudi Arabia’s long-term tourism ambitions.
According to Curtis, the event was 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.
Vision 2030 Tourism Targets
Tourism plays a central role in Saudi Arabia’s economic diversification strategy under Vision 2030. The Kingdom is targeting 150 million domestic and international visitors annually by the end of the decade, with tourism expected to contribute 10 percent of GDP. The partnership with WTM Spotlight Riyadh forms part of broader efforts to strengthen engagement with the international travel industry, encourage investment, and develop partnerships supporting the tourism sector.
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For businesses considering involvement in Saudi Arabia’s tourism market, the scale of the country’s ambitions is worth noting. The 150 million visitor target represents a significant increase from current levels, suggesting substantial opportunity for international companies able to establish themselves in the Kingdom’s growing tourism ecosystem. Whether that opportunity translates into actual market entry will depend on factors including regulatory clarity, infrastructure development timelines, and the ability of foreign operators to handle local partnership requirements.
The inaugural WTM Spotlight Riyadh will focus on facilitating business connections, investment, and collaboration between Saudi Arabia and the international travel industry. Organizers say the event will support the Kingdom’s broader tourism objectives while providing a venue for industry professionals to explore partnerships in one of the world’s fastest-growing travel markets.