WTM Spotlight Riyadh has announced the conference programme for its inaugural edition, taking place from September 8 to 10 in Riyadh. The three-day programme will bring together tourism, aviation, hospitality and travel industry leaders to discuss Saudi Arabia’s tourism development and the opportunities emerging from the Kingdom’s expanding visitor economy.
The conference will examine Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 tourism objectives, the growth of Saudi outbound travel and the role of connectivity, experiences, talent and technology in the development of the sector.
The opening day, themed ‘Driving Growth for Vision 2030’, will focus on how tourism growth can contribute to economic and social development across the Kingdom.
Samer Al-Kharashi, Director of the Regional Office for the Middle East, UN Tourism, will discuss the role of tourism in regional development, including approaches that support local communities while preserving culture and nature.
UN Tourism will also partner with Chemonics International for ‘Villages to Value Chains – Designing Community Tourism’. The session will examine how locally developed visitor experiences can generate economic benefits for communities and contribute to sustainable tourism ecosystems. Speakers will include Mohammed Almandiel, General Manager, Heritage Events and Programming, Ministry of Culture.
Dave Goodger, Managing Director, EMEA, Tourism Economics, an Oxford Economics company, will address the economic trends supporting Saudi Arabia’s tourism growth. His session will examine demand, visitor spending and tourism volumes, as well as opportunities across inbound and domestic tourism.
A CEO panel will discuss resilience and adaptability across tourism, aviation and hospitality, with 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.
“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, visitor experiences and opportunities for communities across the country,” said Danielle Curtis, Regional Portfolio Director – UAE, RX.
“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,” Curtis added.
The second day will focus on ‘Outbound Demand & Market Access’, examining Saudi Arabia’s position as a source market for international travel.
A dedicated ‘Super Panel’, titled ‘The $35BN Opportunity – How and Where to Capture Outbound Demand’, will explore how destinations and travel brands can respond to Saudi outbound demand. The panel will feature Turab Saleem, Chief Executive Officer, Perfetti Hospitality, and Faisal Alrajhi, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, almatar.
The programme will also cover MICE and luxury travel, including the requirements for Saudi Arabia to attract international business events and the development of more experience-led and culturally relevant luxury travel.
UN Tourism will host an Innovation Startup Showcase, titled ‘How the Kingdom is Building Tourism’s Most Ambitious Ecosystem’, featuring opening remarks, a keynote and a panel discussion on financing tourism’s future, with representatives from Red Sea Global, Eye Go and the Tourism Development Fund of Saudi Arabia.
A dedicated China-Saudi session with Dragon Trail International will examine the opportunities arising from Saudi Arabia’s Approved Destination Status and the growth of Chinese travel to the Kingdom.
Other sessions on the second day will explore destinations attracting Saudi travellers and the role of wellness in premium travel.
The final day, themed ‘Elevated Experiences & Connected Destinations’, will focus on the development of visitor experiences and the role of infrastructure and investment in connecting destinations.
Sessions will examine how aviation, cruise, rail and road networks can support integrated tourism corridors. Muhammad Bassrawi, Chief Marketing and Destination Officer, Qiddiya, will discuss how attractions, entertainment, events and culture can contribute to visitor experiences.
Sports tourism will also feature, with discussions examining how major sporting events can support year-round tourism and repeat visitation.
A dedicated religious tourism session will look at developments in Umrah and pilgrimage, including improvements in services, mobility and digital systems, as well as opportunities to encourage longer stays.
The conference programme will conclude with a session on agentic AI in travel, featuring Salman A. Alarifi, General Manager of Technology Enablement, Ministry of Tourism Saudi Arabia. The discussion will examine how AI can support trip planning, personalised recommendations and traveller services, and its potential impact on how visitors discover, book and experience travel.
WTM Spotlight Riyadh will take place from September 8 to 10, 2026, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, bringing together regional and international tourism stakeholders for discussions on the Kingdom’s tourism market and its links with the wider global travel industry.
