WTM Spotlight Riyadh has announced the Ministry of Tourism as Strategic Partner for the inaugural edition of the event, reinforcing a shared commitment to tourism growth, international collaboration and the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030.

Scheduled for September 8-10, 2026 at the Riyadh Front Exhibition & Conference Centre (RFECC), the event will connect international tourism businesses with Saudi Arabia’s expanding travel market.

WTM Spotlight Riyadh will bring together destinations, tourism authorities, hospitality providers, airlines, travel technology companies, investors, consumers and industry leaders to explore business opportunities across the Kingdom’s tourism sector.

The partnership comes as Saudi Arabia continues to strengthen its position as a leading global 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 and attract 150 million domestic and international visitors annually by the end of the decade.

The inaugural event is expected to attract global travel and tourism leaders, international exhibitors and hosted buyers. It will support Saudi Arabia’s inbound tourism ambitions while giving international travel companies access to the Kingdom’s growing outbound market.

Designed as a B2B2C platform spanning the travel and tourism ecosystem, WTM Spotlight Riyadh will provide opportunities for business development, investment and networking across the sector.

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."

She added: “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.”

The event will provide a platform for strengthening industry partnerships and supporting investment as Saudi Arabia continues to develop its tourism offering and expand its presence in the global travel market. -TradeArabia News Service