7
WTM Spotlight Riyadh has unveiled the conference programme for its inaugural edition, bringing together international and regional tourism leaders to examine the opportunities emerging from Saudi Arabia’s rapidly expanding visitor economy.
Taking place from 8–10 September 2026 at the Riyadh Front Exhibition & Conference Center (RFECC), the three-day programme will move from the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 growth agenda to the increasing influence of Saudi outbound travellers, before turning to the role of connectivity, experiences, talent and technology in the next phase of tourism development.
The opening day, themed Driving Growth for Vision 2030, will explore how Saudi Arabia can translate continued tourism growth into long-term economic and social value.
Samer Al-Kharashi, Director of the Regional Office for the Middle East, UN Tourism, will draw on the latest research in rural development to examine how tourism can accelerate regional growth while preserving culture and nature, strengthening community inclusion, and improving quality of life.
UN Tourism will also partner with Chemonics International for Villages to Value Chains – Designing Community Tourism. The session will consider how locally rooted visitor experiences can create lasting economic benefits for communities and support sustainable tourism ecosystems, with speakers including Mohammed Almandiel, General Manager, Heritage Events and Programming, Ministry of Culture.
The economics behind the Kingdom’s tourism growth will be addressed by Dave Goodger, Managing Director, EMEA, Tourism Economics, an Oxford Economics company. Goodger will assess the latest demand, spending and volume trends and identify where high-value opportunities are emerging across inbound and domestic tourism.
A CEO panel will turn to resilience and adaptability across tourism, aviation and hospitality, featuring Muzzammil Ahussain, Chief Executive Officer, Almosafer Travel & Tourism Co; Taha Nazer, Acting Chief Executive Officer, Cruise Saudi; and Sanjiv Kapoor, Acting Chief Executive Officer, flyadeal.
Danielle Curtis, Regional Portfolio Director – UAE, RX, said: “Saudi Arabia’s tourism sector is developing at an extraordinary pace, creating opportunities across investment, destination development and the wider visitor economy. As the Kingdom advances its Vision 2030 ambitions, the conversation is increasingly about how that growth can translate into long-term economic value, exceptional visitor experiences and opportunities for communities across the country.
“WTM Spotlight Riyadh will bring together international expertise, research and perspectives from those actively shaping the sector. From policy and regional development to outbound demand, mobility, technology and talent, the programme will examine the issues influencing the next phase of growth while strengthening connections between Saudi Arabia and the global tourism industry.”
The second day will focus on Outbound Demand & Market Access, reflecting Saudi Arabia’s growing importance as a global source market.
A dedicated Super Panel: The $35BN Opportunity – How and Where to Capture Outbound Demand will examine how destinations and travel brands can convert Saudi Arabia’s significant outbound demand into market share, and feature Turab Saleem, Chief Executive Officer, Perfetti Hospitality, and Faisal Alrajhi, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, almatar. MICE and luxury travel will also feature, including what Saudi Arabia needs beyond venue supply to compete for international business events and how luxury travel is moving towards more immersive, culturally relevant and purpose-led experiences.
UN Tourism will host an Innovation Startup Showcase, titled “How the Kingdom is Building Tourism’s Most Ambitious Ecosystem”, featuring opening remarks and a keynote from UN Tourism, along with a panel discussion on financing tourism’s future featuring panellists from Red Sea Global, Eye Go, and the Tourism Development Fund of Saudi Arabia.
A dedicated China-Saudi session with Dragon Trail International will assess the growing Chinese travel opportunity following Saudi Arabia’s Approved Destination Status, while other discussions will examine destinations that attract Saudi travellers and the growing role of wellness in premium travel.
The final day, themed Elevated Experiences & Connected Destinations, will focus on translating tourism investment and infrastructure into stronger visitor experiences.
Sessions will consider how aviation, cruise, rail and road networks can create integrated tourism corridors, while Muhammad Bassrawi, Chief Marketing and Destination Officer, Qiddiya, will discuss how attractions, entertainment, events, and culture can combine to create more compelling visitor journeys.
Sports tourism will feature in discussions around converting major events into year-round demand and repeat visitation. A dedicated religious tourism session will consider the evolution of Umrah and pilgrimage through improvements in services, mobility and digital systems, as well as opportunities to encourage extended stays.
Rounding out the conference, Salman A. Alarifi, General Manager of Technology Enablement, Ministry of Tourism Saudi Arabia, will join a discussion on the growing role of agentic AI in travel. The session will look at how the technology can simplify trip planning, tailor recommendations and support travellers throughout their journeys, changing the way consumers discover, book and experience travel in Saudi Arabia and beyond.
WTM Spotlight Riyadh has been created to connect the world to Saudi Arabia and Saudi Arabia to the world. Alongside its conference programme, the B2B2C event will bring together destinations, hospitality providers, airlines, attractions, travel technology companies, buyers and consumers through business meetings, networking and commercial opportunities.
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.