The first edition of World Travel Market – Spotlight Riyadh opens today, Tuesday, in the Saudi capital, creating a new international platform that connects the global travel and tourism industry with the Saudi market and opens the way for companies, destinations and brands to build new partnerships and investment opportunities.

The show runs from 8 to 10 September 2026 at Riyadh Front Exhibition & Conference Center and is organized by RX, one of the world's leading exhibition and events companies.

It launches at a time of rapid expansion in Saudi tourism, driven by projects and investment tied to Saudi Vision 2030 and accompanying growth in hospitality, aviation, infrastructure, culture, entertainment and destination development.

The inaugural edition is supported by the Ministry of Tourism as strategic partner, reflecting the Kingdom's drive to deepen cooperation with international markets and attract more global partnerships and expertise as Saudi Arabia's profile as an international tourism destination grows.

Danielle Curtis, Regional Portfolio Director at RX in the UAE, said the transformation under way in the Kingdom is creating growing opportunities for the travel and tourism sector, noting that the simultaneous development of tourism, investment, infrastructure and visitor experiences strengthens the Saudi market's ability to connect with global markets.

She said WTM Spotlight Riyadh is designed to create an environment that brings specialists, decision-makers and companies together, helping them understand the market, exchange expertise and turn professional meetings into partnerships and scalable business opportunities.

Over three days the show combines pre-scheduled business meetings, direct networking and specialized events and conferences, with a program examining the leading trends and shifts shaping the future of Saudi and global tourism.

The program opens under the theme "Driving Growth to Achieve Vision 2030", exploring how tourism growth can deliver sustainable economic and social impact. Day two addresses outbound demand, market access and the growing influence of the Saudi traveler on global travel, while day three, titled "Elevated Experiences and Connected Destinations", focuses on the future of the visitor experience, including mobility, attractions, talent and new technology.

The program reflects the link between inbound and outbound tourism in the Kingdom, as Saudi Arabia's appeal to international visitors grows on one side and the Saudi traveler's influence on global markets, destinations and brands increases on the other.

The event is expected to strengthen ties between Saudi tourism and its counterparts worldwide and open new paths for cooperation, investment and knowledge exchange in step with the sector's sweeping transformation in the Kingdom.