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WTM Spotlight Riyadh has announced two major strategic partnerships ahead of its inaugural edition. Fairmont Ramla and Fairmont Riyadh have been appointed as the event’s Official Hotel Partners, while Almosafer Travel & Tourism Co. has been confirmed as its Official Journey Partner.
Taking place from 8–10 September 2026 at the Riyadh Front Exhibition & Conference Center (RFECC), WTM Spotlight Riyadh will connect the global travel industry with Saudi Arabia through a highly curated programme of business meetings, conference sessions and networking opportunities, supporting the Kingdom’s ambition to become one of the world’s leading tourism destinations.
The partnership announcement further strengthens the event’s position as a leading B2B2C travel platform, bringing together internationally recognised hospitality and travel brands that are helping shape the Kingdom’s rapidly evolving tourism landscape under Vision 2030.
Danielle Curtis, Regional Portfolio Director, UAE, RX, said: “The announcement of Fairmont Ramla and Fairmont Riyadh as our Official Hotel Partners and Almosafer Travel & Tourism Co. as our Official Journey Partner reflects the calibre of organisations supporting the launch of WTM Spotlight Riyadh. Both brands have played an important role in Saudi Arabia’s tourism development and share our commitment to delivering exceptional visitor experiences while strengthening the Kingdom’s position on the global tourism map.
“As Saudi Arabia continues its transformation under Vision 2030, collaboration with trusted industry leaders is essential. These partnerships will help ensure that international exhibitors, buyers and visitors experience the very best of Saudi hospitality while building the partnerships that will help shape the next phase of tourism growth in the Kingdom.”
The announcement comes as Saudi Arabia continues to accelerate its tourism transformation under Vision 2030, with tourism targeted to contribute 10% of national GDP by the end of the decade. WTM Spotlight Riyadh has been created to support these ambitions by connecting international travel businesses with Saudi stakeholders while showcasing the Kingdom’s rapidly expanding tourism ecosystem to a global audience. The event reflects Saudi Arabia’s growing importance as both a world-class destination and one of the world’s most influential outbound travel markets.
As one of the world’s most recognised luxury hospitality brands, Fairmont continues to expand its presence across Saudi Arabia, supporting the Kingdom’s growing hospitality sector through a portfolio of landmark properties and new developments aligned with Vision 2030’s tourism ambitions. As Official Hotel Partners, both Fairmont Ramla & Fairmont Riyadh will welcome international buyers, exhibitors, speakers and delegates attending the inaugural edition of WTM Spotlight Riyadh, showcasing the exceptional hospitality standards for which both the brand and Saudi Arabia are recognised.
Amine Bouhalba, General Manager, Fairmont Ramla, said: “WTM Spotlight Riyadh comes at a pivotal moment for the capital as it continues to strengthen its position as a leading destination for business, leisure, and international tourism. In line with the ambitions of Saudi Vision 2030, the event will enable valuable connections between Saudi Arabia and the global travel industry, supporting the Kingdom’s growth as a world-class tourism hub.
“Our strategic partnership reflects Fairmont’s long-term confidence in Riyadh’s dynamic hospitality sector and our commitment to contributing to the city’s continued transformation and sustainable growth. We are proud to support initiatives that elevate Riyadh’s global profile while creating exceptional opportunities for collaboration, investment, and tourism development.”
Muhieddine Zok, General Manager, Fairmont Riyadh, said: “WTM Spotlight Riyadh comes at an important time for Saudi Arabia, as the Kingdom continues to open its doors to the world and welcome more visitors to experience its rich culture, heritage and hospitality. Tourism has become an important part of Saudi Arabia’s development, with new destinations and experiences emerging across the Kingdom and Riyadh playing an increasingly prominent role in this growth.
“For us at Fairmont Riyadh, this is an opportunity to showcase what hospitality in Saudi Arabia is about. Riyadh offers visitors a distinctive combination of heritage, culture and a modern city experience, and we are proud to welcome guests from around the world and introduce them to the warmth and traditions of the Kingdom. WTM Spotlight Riyadh gives the travel industry an important platform to experience and share what Saudi Arabia has to offer.”
As Saudi Arabia’s leading travel company, Almosafer Travel & Tourism Co. continues to play a pivotal role in the Kingdom’s tourism ecosystem, connecting travellers with domestic and international experiences and supporting growth in both inbound and outbound tourism. Through its destination management expertise and extensive local network, the platform will play an important role in delivering seamless experiences for hosted buyers, exhibitors and international delegates attending WTM Spotlight Riyadh.
Muzzammil Ahussain, CEO, Almosafer Travel & Tourism Co
, said: “As Saudi Arabia’s leading travel company, we are delighted to collaborate with WTM Spotlight Riyadh as the event’s Official Journey Partner. The launch of this event comes at an important moment for the Kingdom’s tourism sector, creating new opportunities to connect international travel businesses with one of the world’s fastest-growing markets.
“By combining our destination expertise with WTM Spotlight Riyadh’s global reach, we look forward to delivering seamless experiences for hosted buyers, exhibitors and delegates while helping strengthen Saudi Arabia’s position as a leading global tourism hub in line with Vision 2030.”
WTM Spotlight Riyadh has been created to connect the world to Saudi Arabia and Saudi Arabia to the world, bringing together destinations, hospitality providers, airlines, travel technology companies, attractions and experience providers with Saudi buyers, international hosted buyers and consumers.
The inaugural edition will welcome more than 6,500 regional and international visitors, and 150 international hosted buyers, providing a focused platform for business development, investment and knowledge exchange. The conference programme will explore the themes shaping the future of tourism, including Saudi Arabia’s tourism transformation under Vision 2030, hospitality and experiences, transport and mobility, and technology and innovation.
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.