The partnership marks an important milestone for WTM Spotlight Riyadh and reflects Saudi Arabia’s growing role within the global travel industry. It also positions the event as a meeting place for international tourism leaders seeking to engage with the Kingdom’s tourism market.
WTM Spotlight Riyadh will take place from 8–10 September 2026 at the Riyadh Front Exhibition & Conference Center (RFECC), with the event designed to connect the international tourism industry with Saudi Arabia and Saudi Arabia with the global market.
The event will bring together destinations, tourism authorities, hospitality providers, airlines, travel technology companies, investors, consumers and industry leaders to explore business opportunities across Saudi Arabia’s expanding tourism sector and address the next phase of the Kingdom’s tourism growth.
The announcement comes as Saudi Arabia continues to strengthen its position as a growing tourism destination. Under Vision 2030, tourism is a key pillar of the Kingdom’s economic diversification strategy, with the sector targeted to contribute 10% of GDP while welcoming 150 million domestic and international visitors annually by the end of the decade.
Recent figures released by the Ministry of Tourism highlight continued growth in visitor numbers and tourism spending, according to the announcement, underlining the momentum behind the Kingdom’s tourism objectives.
The partnership with WTM Spotlight Riyadh reflects Saudi Arabia’s commitment to working with the global travel community on sustainable tourism development, attracting investment and advancing the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030, as the Kingdom continues to develop its position within the international tourism sector.
The inaugural edition is expected to bring together visitors and exhibitors from around the world, including global travel and tourism leaders and international hosted buyers. The event will provide a platform supporting Saudi Arabia’s inbound tourism objectives while enabling international travel businesses to access the Kingdom’s outbound market.
Designed as a B2B2C platform spanning the travel and tourism ecosystem, WTM Spotlight Riyadh will establish a foundation for the event’s long-term development in Saudi Arabia and support the Kingdom’s broader tourism objectives under Vision 2030.
Danielle Curtis, Regional Portfolio Director, UAE, RX, said: “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. We are proud to be working alongside the Ministry to create an event that brings together decision-makers from across the international travel industry and supports Saudi Arabia’s long-term tourism ambitions.
“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. Together with the Ministry, we are building an event that reflects the ambition and scale of Saudi Arabia’s tourism transformation.”
Aligned with Vision 2030, WTM Spotlight Riyadh will support Saudi Arabia’s continued development as a global tourism destination by encouraging investment, strengthening international partnerships and creating new opportunities for collaboration across the travel industry.
Tags: Danielle Curtis, UAE, RX WTM Spotlight Riyadh Ministry of Tourism of Saudi Arabia
