The concept of the event stems from the recognition that tourism is no longer a single-dimension activity linked solely to travel. It has evolved into a complex global ecosystem representing travel agencies, digital platforms, airlines, airports, mobility services, accommodation providers, retail, food and beverage, and advanced technological infrastructure. The minister noted that despite tourism’s multi-faceted value chain, there has not been a forum capable of convening all these components in one place to inform strategy, build partnerships, and align investments. TOURISE aims to fill this void by offering an annual meeting point in Riyadh that is designed to be engaging, less formal, and a working environment that encourages honest discussion.
The need for such a platform is amplified by the rapid expansion of global travel. In 2023, 1.5 billion people travelled internationally, representing just 20% of the world population. This number is expected to grow to between 2.5 and 3 billion travellers by 2035. The minister highlighted the pressing industry challenges associated with this surge, such as the capacity of aircraft manufacturers to supply sufficient aircraft to meet rising demand. Additionally, the tourism supply side requires unprecedented capital allocation: Saudi Arabia alone expects more than USD 200 billion in tourism investments over the next five years, supporting its emerging destinations including NEOM, the Red Sea, and other large-scale developments.
Workforce development was a central theme of the opening remarks, reflecting both opportunity and concern. The industry currently employs approximately 357 million people, which equates to 10% of the global workforce. Forecasts indicate that the sector will create an additional 90 million jobs by 2034. However, there is a projected shortfall of around 40 million workers, a gap which was also discussed during the recent UN General Assembly. Addressing this labour imbalance will require coordinated action in education, skills development, labour mobility and career-path planning. Tourism plays a vital socio-economic role as a job creator for women, who hold around 40% of employment in the sector, as well as youth, who represent 80% of the workforce. For many developing regions, small nations and island economies, tourism remains an essential channel for empowerment and social inclusion.
Technology and artificial intelligence were also positioned as pivotal drivers of industry transformation. While acknowledging the transformative benefits of digitalisation and AI-powered services, the minister stressed that human interaction must remain at the core of hospitality, and industry modernisation must not come at the expense of employment. The future tourism model should balance innovation with human-centred service, ensuring that job creation remains a priority and that AI serves as an enabler rather than a replacement of the workforce.
TOURISE 2025 establishes a three-day global programme, inviting the private sector, governments, and NGOs to debate critical issues such as the role of AI in tourism, workforce capacity-building, global connectivity, and future investment models. The sector contributes roughly 10% of global GDP – around USD 11 trillion – and accounts for one in ten jobs worldwide. Given this magnitude, the minister underlined that tourism must be treated as a strategic industry of economic and social relevance, demanding structured global cooperation.
With Riyadh as its host city, TOURISE 2025 aims to become a recurring global hub for policy dialogue, industry intelligence, investment facilitation, and innovation. By fostering a collaborative environment that feels more like a “working retreat” than a formal convention, the event intends to encourage open conversation, strategic alignment, and long-term partnerships that will influence how tourism evolves over the next decade.
As the tourism sector enters a phase of accelerated growth and transformation, TOURISE seeks to position itself as a catalyst and connector, bringing together the voices that will shape the industry’s future direction.
Tags: TOURISE RIYADH TOURISE 2025
