WTM Spotlight Riyadh opens tomorrow, connecting the regional and international travel industry

WTM Spotlight Riyadh, organised by RX, a global leader in events and exhibitions, will open its doors tomorrow, 8 September, marking the beginning of a new platform designed to connect the world to Saudi Arabia and Saudi Arabia to the world as the Kingdom continues its rapid tourism transformation under Vision 2030.

Taking place from 8–10 September at the Riyadh Front Exhibition & Conference Center (RFECC), the inaugural event has been created to provide the international travel industry with a dedicated opportunity to engage directly with one of the world’s fastest-evolving tourism markets, while connecting Saudi tourism stakeholders with global destinations, brands, travel buyers and industry leaders.

Saudi Arabia’s tourism industry has become central to the Kingdom’s economic diversification, with a target to contribute 10% of national GDP by the end of the decade. Sustained investment in hospitality, aviation, infrastructure, culture, entertainment, and destination development is creating new opportunities throughout the tourism value chain while strengthening Saudi Arabia’s position in the international travel landscape.

Supporting this ambition, WTM Spotlight Riyadh is honoured to welcome the Ministry of Tourism as Strategic Partner for the inaugural edition, reflecting a shared commitment to accelerating tourism growth, strengthening international collaboration and advancing the ambitions of Saudi Vision 2030.

Danielle Curtis, Regional Portfolio Director – UAE, RX, said: “The pace and scale of change taking place in Saudi Arabia make this an incredibly exciting moment for the travel industry. Vision 2030 has created an environment where tourism, investment, infrastructure, and visitor experiences are developing together, opening opportunities not only within the Kingdom but also across international markets engaging with Saudi Arabia.

“This transformation was central to our decision to launch WTM Spotlight Riyadh. As event organisers, our role is to create an environment where people can come together, deepen their understanding of the market, share knowledge, and turn conversations into meaningful partnerships and commercial opportunities.

“Tomorrow represents the beginning of that journey. Our ambition is for WTM Spotlight Riyadh to evolve alongside Saudi Arabia’s tourism sector and become an increasingly important platform for connecting Saudi Arabian and international travel businesses. We want the relationships and ideas that begin here to continue well beyond the event and contribute to the next chapter of the Kingdom’s tourism growth.”

Over three days, WTM Spotlight Riyadh will combine pre-arranged meetings and networking opportunities with a conference programme that examines the trends and opportunities shaping tourism in Saudi Arabia and internationally.

The programme will open under the theme of Driving Growth for Vision 2030 and will explore how tourism growth can deliver long-term economic and social value, before Outbound Demand & Market Access examines the growing influence of Saudi travellers on day two. The final day, Elevated Experiences & Connected Destinations, will focus on the future visitor journey, from mobility and attractions to talent and technology.

The programme reflects the increasingly interconnected nature of Saudi Arabia’s inbound and outbound tourism opportunity. As investment continues to strengthen the Kingdom’s international visitor proposition, Saudi travellers are simultaneously becoming an increasingly influential audience for destinations and travel brands worldwide. WTM Spotlight Riyadh has been designed to bring both sides of this opportunity together within a focused B2B2C environment.

The event is further supported by strategic partners from across Saudi Arabia’s tourism ecosystem, including Fairmont Ramla and Fairmont Riyadh as Official Hotel Partners and Almosafer Travel & Tourism Co. as Official Journey Partner, reflecting the collaborative approach underpinning the inaugural edition.

Through its combination of commercial exchange, industry insight and international collaboration, WTM Spotlight Riyadh will provide a new meeting point for an industry responding to the opportunities created by Saudi Arabia’s transformation, while supporting the wider ambitions of Vision 2030.

Visitor registration for WTM Spotlight Riyadh is now open, with travel professionals invited to secure their place at the inaugural event and engage directly with one of the world's fastest-growing tourism markets. For exhibitor enquiries, please click here.

ENDS