saudi tourism exhibition 2023

معرض جدة الدولي للسياحة والسفر

Jeddah intl. travel & tourism exhibition, 28-30 jan 2024, jeddah superdome  جدة سوبردوم, from here to the world, last edition figures:   , +29.000  total attendance, 172   exhibitor, 27  country.

JTTX is the leading Intl. travel exhibition in Saudi Arabia, held annualy and aimed to connecting international travel business to the Saudi travel market, which considered one of the fastest growing markets in the World. JTTX is an ideal place to identify and build business relationships, connect and understand customer's preferences and trends, as well as to promote Tourism destinations, as well as relevant products and services.

B2B & B2C 

We connect the travel professionals in a business context, and at the same time we provide the opportunity for them to meet travelers directly .

BE PART OF JTTX !

JTTX provides a wide range of products, be regarded as the annual purchasing bazaar for the local travelers.

 Media!

If you are a media personnel interested in covering JTTX11 press conference or exhibition, please proceed to the media registration page.

(will be available starting from 1st Feb. 2023)

 Exhibit!

JTTX is a great opportunity for both exhibitors to provide their services and launch new products, attracting the highest attention from the media, trade & public visitors

and offer the local travelers a wide range of products.

OPENING CEREMONY

Sunday 28  January, 2024

EXHIBITION TIMING

Sunday 28 January        4:00 PM - 11:00 PM

Monday 29 January        4:00 PM - 11:00 PM      

Tuesday 30 January        4:00 PM - 11:00 PM      

Note: Free entry for trade and public visitors

JTTX12 SPONSORS

27 - 29 MAY 2024

04:00PM - 11:00PM

    14th edition    

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Join Us!  Be part of the biggest tourism event in Saudi Arabia!

Discover and unveil the myriad opportunities awaiting you at Riyadh Travel Fair 2024!

Make enduring business connections while exploring stunning destinations, cutting-edge travel technology solutions, premier airlines, luxurious hotels, and beyond.

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Why Attend Riyadh Travel Fair?

Explore at your own pace.

At Riyadh Travel Fair, you can explore the latest travel services and activities at your own pace. Take time to engage with exhibitors and discover new destinations. With our self-guided approach, you can make the most out of your visit.

Easy Online Registration

Registering for Riyadh Travel Fair is simple and easy. Our online registration process allows you to quickly secure your spot at the premier travel and tourism exhibition in Saudi Arabia and the GCC.

Expert Guidance

Our team of expert guides will be available at Riyadh Travel Fair to provide you with insider tips and recommendations. Whether you're looking for a new adventure or simply need some travel inspiration, our professional mentors are here to help.

Event Schedule

• Wed, May 29 Day 3  /  RICEC Details May 29, 2024, 4:00 PM – 11:00 PM Join with us to celebrate The Biggest Travel & Tourism Event in GCC Market at Riyadh Travel Fair Share
• Tue, May 28 Day 2  /  RICEC Details May 28, 2024, 4:00 PM – 11:00 PM Join with us to celebrate The Biggest Travel & Tourism Event in GCC Market at Riyadh Travel Fair Share
• Mon, May 27 Day 1  /  RICEC Details May 27, 2024, 4:00 PM – 11:00 PM Join with us to celebrate The Biggest Travel & Tourism Event in GCC Market at Riyadh Travel Fair Share

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Are you on the lookout for an opportunity to network and engage in sessions led by industry leaders, where you can gain insights into the latest travel trends and innovations?

Interested in Exhibiting?

Showcase your country's rich culture and amplify your exposure. Learn how to become an exhibitor at RTF2024  for further details.

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Riyadh Travel Fair 2023 edition is set to be Saudi Arabia’s largest travel and tourism event on record

The Riyadh Travel Fair (RTF) 2023, Saudi Arabia’s premier travel industry showcase, is poised to welcome an expected 30,000 visitors to experience a stunning showcase of over 150 exhibitors.

RIYADH – The Kingdom’s largest domestic and outbound tourism promotion event is set to be held at The Arena Grenada Square in Riyadh from May 22 to May 24, 2023, for the 13th consecutive year. This year’s event will feature a dedicated pavilion for the travel trade and media, providing exhibitors with valuable opportunities to host seminars and press conferences. Over 150 exhibitors representing more than 35 countries, including 30 national and regional pavilions, will grace the show floor, which has been expanded by 30% compared to the 2022 edition.

According to Mr. Bander Al Gryni , General Manager of ASAS Exhibitions, the organizer of the Riyadh Travel Fair , “ Last year, the Riyadh Travel Fair featured 129 exhibitors with visitor attendance at 24,957. That was an increase of 20% compared to the 2019 edition. This year, we anticipate exhibitors to surpass 150, with expected visitor numbers exceeding 30,000.”

Al Gryni added, “Year after year, we have witnessed consistent positive growth in the number of participants, exhibitors, and attendees at RTF. With Saudi nationals increasingly traveling both domestically and overseas, the opportunities that the Riyadh Travel Fair provides for domestic and overseas destinations, hospitality service providers, and other tourism-related businesses to directly engage with the kingdom’s leading travel professionals and travelers have never been more significant.”

The Riyadh Travel Fair is open to travel professionals and the general public looking for destination information and special deals. Visitors to the 2023 edition will have the opportunity to interact directly with various tourism authorities, hotels, airlines, and travel agents from around the world. The fair will be strongly represented by the Arabian Gulf region, including pavilions sponsored by The Royal Commission for AlUla, Amala Tourism, Qatar Tourism Authority, Flynas , and Al-Riyadh Travel & Tourism , among others. National pavilions, including those of Mauritius, Malta, Jordan, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Turkey, Azerbaijan, Trnava, and the Czech Republic, among others, have also confirmed their attendance.

The ASAS Exhibition and Conference Organizing Company is hosting the Riyadh Travel Fair 2023 with sponsorship from several partners. These include the Qatar Tourism Authority as a Strategic Partner, the Azerbaijan Tourism Board as a Diamond Sponsor, the Czech Republic , the Royal Commission for AlUla , and Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority as Gold Sponsors. FlyNas will serve as the Official Carrier. Additionally, for the first time, this year’s fair will feature St. Petersburg as a Gold Partner and 4 Seasons Travel Georgia and Al Meshini as Silver Partners.

Tatiana Rokou

Tatiana is the news coordinator for TravelDailyNews Media Network (traveldailynews.gr, traveldailynews.com and traveldailynews.asia). Her role includes monitoring the hundreds of news sources of TravelDailyNews Media Network and skimming the most important according to our strategy.

She holds a Bachelor's degree in Communication & Mass Media from Panteion University of Political & Social Studies of Athens and she has been editor and editor-in-chief in various economic magazines and newspapers.

• Tatiana Rokou https://www.traveldailynews.com/author/tatiana-rokou/ Regent Porto Montenegro announces the appointment of Angelo Zuccala as the new General Manager
• Tatiana Rokou https://www.traveldailynews.com/author/tatiana-rokou/ Green destinations: European Green Pioneer of Smart Tourism 2025 competition now open for applications
• Tatiana Rokou https://www.traveldailynews.com/author/tatiana-rokou/ New strategic partnership at Edinburgh Airport
• Tatiana Rokou https://www.traveldailynews.com/author/tatiana-rokou/ Grace Hotel, Auberge Resorts Collection appoints new General Manager, George Georgousis

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Qatar Tourism participates in JTTX 2023, the leading travel exhibition in Saudi Arabia

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Qatar Tourism represented the State of Qatar alongside industry partners at the 2023 Jeddah International Travel and Tourism Exhibition (JTTX), Saudi Arabia’s leading travel event.

Qatar Tourism represented the State of Qatar alongside industry partners at the 2023 Jeddah International Travel and Tourism Exhibition (JTTX), Saudi Arabia’s leading travel event. Marking Qatar’s first formal activation in Saudi Arabia since 2017, the event connected regional and international tourism stakeholders with the Saudi travel market. This year’s edition of JTTX, which ran from February 19 – 21, 2023, looked to attract more than 30,000 visitors, including key dignitaries from across the world.

Commenting on the occasion, Mr. Omar Al Jaber, Director of Shared Services at Qatar Tourism, said: “We are pleased to have participated in the Jeddah International Travel and Tourism Exhibition, one of the most renowned exhibitions in tourism, to highlight the most prominent tourist attractions in Qatar and the county’s distinctive offers available to visitors, all of which are rooted service excellence. Saudi Arabia is one of our key source markets for international visitors and we are keen to continue to demonstrate our commitment and creativity toward this market.”

HE Consul General of the State of Qatar in Jeddah, Mr. Rashid bin Saeed Al Khayarin, visited Qatar Tourism’s booth at the exhibition during the opening ceremony, which featured industry partners Qatar Airways and Discover Qatar, as well as eight major hotels including Hilton Salwa Beach Resort & Villas, Waldorf Astoria Lusail, and The Chedi Katara Hotel & Resort.

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The Era of Change: Together for a foresighted tomorrow

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia achieved victory in the bid to host World Expo 2030 in Riyadh , under the captivating theme, “The Era of Change: Together for a Foresighted Tomorrow.” Riyadh is poised to craft an unparalleled Expo edition that will etch an indelible mark on the hearts and minds of its global visitors.

A Different Tomorrow

A tomorrow where innovations in science and technology transform our world, creating resilience and serving humanity in a responsible manner. Keep reading

Climate Action

Accelerating innovations through global collaboration to preserve natural ecosystems and deliver sustainable solutions for all. Keep reading

Prosperity For All

Addressing inequalities and imbalances in our world together, with every nation contributing through the prism of its culture, context, and aspirations. Keep reading

Inspirational Quote

“We are confident in our ability to deliver an unprecedented World Expo experience. Please do consider this a declaration of the Kingdom’s full commitment to Riyadh’s candidacy and its hosting of the World Expo 2030.”

H.R.H. Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed Bin Salman – Official letter of candidature to the BIE

Riyadh Expo 2030 Bid Overview

Expected Visitors

40 million site visits 1 billion metaverse visits

Expected Participants

246 participants Country pavilions, international organizations, non-official participants

Total Site Size

6 Million m 2

Site Location

Located in the north of Riyadh, approximately 5-10 minute’ drive from King Khalid International Airport

2030 – A National & Global Milestone

2030 national milestone.

Vision 2030 is the roadmap for a journey focused on nurturing a vibrant society, a thriving economy, and an ambitious nation. Riyadh Expo 2030 will be a perfect occasion for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to share the story of an unprecedented national transformation with other nations and the global public.

2030 Global Milestone

Global efforts are centered around the UN’s Agenda 2030 and its Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), which increasingly require the collaborative efforts of both governments and communities. Riyadh Expo 2030 will be a moment to reflect on the results of the SDG 2030 and plan on delivering the set of global goals for the next 20 years.

A Gateway to Future Decades

With the pace of change picking up across environment, technology, economy, and geography, the world of 2030 will be very different from today, with the journey to Expo 2030 being one of collective exploration, emerging questions and imagination helping prepare for the coming decades.

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Saudi Tourism Authority hosts largest trade show activation to date

Posted by Sarah Hedley Hymers on 5 November 2023

More than 75 influential stakeholders join STA at World Travel Market in London 

Saudi Arabia has underlined its commitment to working with the global travel trade, bringing its biggest-ever exhibition activation to World Travel Market (WTM) London, running from 6 to 9 November 2023.

The Saudi Tourism Authority (STA) is exhibiting at WTM London with its largest delegation to date, including more than 75 influential stakeholders from key Saudi destinations. This marks a 48% increase in the number of stakeholders compared to last year.

STA’s delegation comprises leading industry figures representing DMOs (Destination Marketing Organisations) and DMCs (Destination Management Companies), hotels, tour operators, airlines and cruise companies within the Saudi tourism industry, including Riyadh Air, Almosafer, Tourism Development Fund, Red Sea Global, Diriyah Company, Royal Commission for AlUla, NEOM and Saudi’s Ministry for Tourism.

RELATED: UK launches Electronic Travel Authorisation for GCC nationals Saudi Arabia's Flynas to add new international flights Flynas to relaunch flights from AlUla to Dubai

STA also has its biggest-ever exhibition stand at this year’s WTM with the aim to provide an immersive journey through Saudi hospitality, culture and traditions, bringing the country’s diverse destinations to life. The interactive stand draws attention to traditional Saudi music, coffee and dates, and demonstrations of traditional crafts, from basket weaving to creating floral crowns, while the diversity of Saudi is showcased with an interactive Saudi map and activities calendar.

Targeting travel agents, the Saudi Expert activation shows trade partners potential business opportunities in the Kingdom, and offers them the opportunity to register as a partner via a simple QR code.

The stand also features a custom-built media studio to capture podcasts and interviews with trade partners discussing opportunities in Saudi, while the Nusuk Area, a dedicated space to demonstrate the integrated digital platform and tools for trade to support Hajj pilgrims, provides an easy-to-use planning gateway to Makkah and Madinah.

STA CEO Fahd Hamidaddin was invited to be a keynote speaker at the event, and throughout the three-day exhibition, a number of exciting announcements and partnership agreements will be unveiled.

BUILD YOUR OWN TRAVEL BUSINESS. JOIN TRAVEL COUNSELLORS' NEXT EVENT TO FIND OUT HOW

Hamidaddin said: “Saudi’s expanded and record-breaking participation this year mirrors our expanded targets and accelerated growth to reach 150 million visits by 2030. I look forward to being in London once again to continue strengthening existing partnerships and cultivating new ones to reach this goal.

“We believe the best way to share Saudi with the world is by inviting the world to come see it for themselves and there is no better time than now. Trade shows are a very close second where we make new connections and agree new business opportunities across the tourism value chain, making it more competitive than ever for our trade partners to introduce visitors to the wonders of Arabia.”

STA launched in June 2020 and now operates 16 representative offices around the world, serving 38 countries, marketing Saudi’s tourism destinations worldwide. Its mandate includes developing the country’s destinations, hosting and participating in industry events, and promoting Saudi’s destination brand both locally and overseas.

Find out more about the Saudi Tourism Authority at WTM London 2023 at stand numbers S5-510, S5-200, S5-500, or visit www.visitsaudi.com  

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Invest in Health

2023 Highlights

$2.2bn in mou's signed, 310+ exhibitors, 51,000+ attendance, 32 exhibiting countries.

Unveiling the future of healthcare

The healthcare sector in Saudi Arabia is undergoing a substantial transformation, propelled by significant digital initiatives powered by an equal partnership between government and private sector, aligning with Vision 2030. 

As a result, Global Health 2024 edition will take place from 22 - 24 October 2024 at  Riyadh Convention & Exhibition Centre, Malham, and promises to be even bigger and better, with a larger exhibition space, increased attendee numbers, and exciting new features.

How Global Health Exhibition can work for you:

Unlock lucrative investments, tap into the booming saudi healthcare sector and discover untapped investment opportunities., gain insider insights, learn from senior government officials and healthcare experts to identify game-changing opportunities., connect & collaborate, network with global decision-makers, investors, and partners to fuel your business growth and innovation., experience innovation, explore interactive exhibits and groundbreaking technology, including ai, robotics, and genomics., showcase & launch, present your cutting-edge healthcare solutions to a worldwide audience and accelerate market entry., compete & create, join the start-up competition to turn your vision into reality and shape the future of health., meet your 2024 speakers.

What areas are covered?

Startup / Innovation

Plastic Surgery

Find out more with the 2024 Event Brochure

Innovation | Investment | CME Credits

Global Health 2024 edition promises to be bigger, better and with a larger exhibition space, increased attendee numbers, enhanced facilities, and new exciting features. Find out exactly what to expect by downloading the 2024 Event Brochure.

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Our attendees say...

“It’s great to see so many participants. The industry stakeholders, regulators, providers and partners are all looking into the healthcare transformation journey and this was a unique opportunity for us to be able to listen and better understand how we can help them in this journey.”

Catalin Velescu, 3M

“It’s a pleasure to be here after 3 years and to be part of this big event where we were able to connect once again with friends and colleagues from the industry.”

Bassem Bibi, Abbott

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Saudi arabia ranks first among arab nations for inbound visitors in 2022 – strong kingdom representation expected at arabian travel market 2023.

In Arabian Travel Market , Arabian Travel Market , Press Releases .

• Kingdom on track to achieve 100 million visitors per year by the end of the decade
• Tourism spending in Saudi hit $7.2bn in H1 2022, according to government data
• KSA welcomed more than 18 million visitors in first three quarters of last year

Saudi Arabia registered more international arrivals than any other Arab nation during the first nine months of 2022, as government officials target 100 million annual visitors by the end of this decade. Owing to these unprecedented numbers, the Kingdom’s burgeoning tourism sector will represent a key focus at Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2023 , which will take place at Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) from 1-4 May.

This year’s Saudi Summit will take place on the Global Stage and focus on the importance of the Kingdom in reshaping the regional travel and tourism landscape now that mega projects are well under way. In addition to the summit, ATM 2023 will feature a host of Saudi exhibitors, including Saudi Arabian Airlines (SAUDIA), flynas, Makkah Clock Royal Tower, Asma Hospitality Company, Eye of Riyadh, Itrip, Dur Hospitality, Sadana Real Estate Co, Saudi Amad for Airport Services & Transport Support and many more.

Danielle Curtis , Exhibition Director ME, Arabian Travel Market, said: “The ATM 2023 Saudi Summit will offer an ideal forum in which travel professionals and policymakers from across the Middle East and beyond can explore opportunities and challenges within the Kingdom’s ever-growing tourism sector.

“From upcoming giga-developments such as NEOM and the Red Sea Project to how the Kingdom’s latest visa reforms are bolstering its travel sector, we expect Saudi Arabia to represent a major drawcard during the upcoming edition of ATM,” Curtis added.

Figures released by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) show that Saudi Arabia attracted more than 18 million inbound visits in the first three quarters of 2022, followed by the United Arab Emirates (14.8 million tourists) and Morocco (11 million tourists), which ranked second and third in the region, respectively.

Tourism spending in Saudi Arabia also skyrocketed last year, hitting $7.2 billion in H1 2022 according to figures released by the country’s Ministry of Investment. Travel experts from around the world will place these statistics under the microscope at ATM 2023, as part of a series of KSA-focused sessions and panel discussions.

As well as market-specific focuses such as Saudi Arabia, ATM 2023 will explore the future of sustainable travel in line with its theme of ‘ Working Towards Net Zero ’. Having officially initiated its journey to net zero, the conference programme will explore how innovative sustainable travel trends are likely to evolve, allowing delegates to identify growth strategies within key vertical sectors, while providing a platform for regional experts to explore a sustainable future ahead of COP28, which will take place in November 2023 at Expo City Dubai.

The conference will also feature a sustainability category at its annual exhibitor awards for the first time. Exhibiting organisations will be recognised based on the extent to which they have considered the environmental impact of their stands, as well as their efforts to reduce their carbon footprint.

ATM 2023 is held in conjunction with Dubai World Trade Centre and its strategic partners include Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) as the Destination Partner, Emirates as the Official Airline Partner, IHG Hotels & Resorts as the Official Hotel Partner and Al Rais Travel as the Official DMC Partner.

For more information, log on to wtm.com/atm/en-gb.html

About Arabian Travel Market (ATM) , now on its 30th year, is the leading, international travel and tourism event in the Middle East for inbound and outbound tourism professionals. ATM 2022 attracted over 24,000 visitors and hosted over 31,000 participants, including 1,600 exhibitors and attendees from 151 countries, across 10 halls at Dubai World Trade Centre. Arabian Travel Market is part of Arabian Travel Week. #ATMDubai

Last in-person event: Monday 1 to Thursday 4 May 2023, Dubai World Trade Centre, Dubai https://www.wtm.com/atm/en-gb.html     

About Arabian Travel Week is a festival of events taking place within and alongside Arabian Travel Market 2023. Providing a renewed focus for the Middle East’s travel and tourism sector, it includes ILTM Arabia, ARIVAL Dubai, Influencers’ events and activations, ITIC, GBTA Business Travel Forums, as well as ATM Travel Tech. It also features the ATM Buyer Forums, ATM Speed Networking Events as well as a series of country forums. https://www.wtm.com/arabian-travel-week/en-gb.html      

About RX (Reed Exhibitions) RX is in the business of building businesses for individuals, communities and organisations. We elevate the power of face to face events by combining data and digital products to help customers learn about markets, source products and complete transactions at approximately 400 events in 22 countries across 42 industry sectors. RX is passionate about making a positive impact on society and is fully committed to creating an inclusive work environment for all our people.  RX is part of RELX, a global provider of information-based analytics and decision tools for professional and business customers. www.rxglobal.com

About RELX RELX is a global provider of information-based analytics and decision tools for professional and business customers. RELX serves customers in more than 180 countries and has offices in about 40 countries. It employs more than 35,000 people over 40% of whom are in North America. The shares of RELX PLC, the parent company, are traded on the London, Amsterdam and New York Stock Exchanges using the following ticker symbols: London: REL; Amsterdam: REN; New York: RELX.

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Saudi Arabia to Host World Expo 2030, in Victory for Crown Prince

Winning the rights to host the major global event is a coup for Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s efforts to remake the kingdom’s international image.

By Emma Bubola and Vivian Nereim

Reporting from London and Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia won the bid to host the World Expo 2030 in a landslide on Tuesday, delivering a triumph to Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the kingdom’s de facto ruler, as he seeks to reshape the authoritarian country’s international image — and his own.

The vote was held by the Bureau International des Expositions in Paris, which has 182 member countries, and the 165 delegates who were present cast secret ballots. Saudi Arabia won 119 of the 165 votes, easily defeating South Korea and Italy.

The win gives Saudi Arabia the chance to bask in the global spotlight in the year that the crown prince’s plan to diversify the kingdom’s oil-dependent economy, “Vision 2030,” is meant to conclude.

The victory also demonstrates how, once again, he has been able to wield the kingdom’s power, money and influence to overcome attempts to isolate Saudi Arabia over human rights concerns and efforts to stereotype it as a desert backwater with little to offer the world. He has sought to position himself as an indispensable global leader and the kingdom as a major destination for business and tourism .

“World Expo has great appeal for the Saudi leadership,” said Kristin Diwan, a senior resident scholar at the Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington. “The Saudis are determined to have a big coming-out party in 2030 to show the success of their vision.”

The three countries vying for the 2030 event had organized splashy events in recent months to court international delegates. But none appeared to be as lavish as Saudi Arabia’s. Delegates, for example, were treated to a dinner of blue lobster tail and ossetra caviar at an event near Paris this month, according to Politico .

For its bid, Saudi Arabia unveiled an extensive campaign focusing on the futuristic megaprojects that Prince Mohammed planned to build across the country by 2030, which include a giant cube-shaped structure that promotional videos call “a gateway to another world.”

Its presentation in Paris on Tuesday included a video in which the Portuguese soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo — whom the kingdom recently recruited to play in its national league, in a deal reportedly worth around $200 million — said, “My family and I, we have a great time here in Saudi.”

The video also described the kingdom as a “beacon of progress and sustainability” and a young, vibrant nation experiencing unprecedented change. “Our young people are leading the change ,” Princess Haifa Al Mogrin, the kingdom’s UNESCO delegate, said in the presentation.

Before the World Expo in the Saudi capital, Riyadh, another will be held in 2025 in Osaka, Japan. The most recent expo was held in Dubai, a glittering Persian Gulf emirate that Prince Mohammed has both competed with and emulated. Winning the vote in the French capital — where the Eiffel Tower was built for the 1889 exposition — represents an opportunity for countries to attract global attention, millions of people, cash and prestige, as well as create jobs and infrastructure.

Saudi Arabia’s victory adds to the kingdom’s success in securing big global events such as the 2029 Asian winter games and the 2034 World Cup. It has spent lavishly to draw some of the world’s greatest players to its soccer league and to its golf circuit , which then merged with the PGA Tour .

The kingdom, which has advertised its ambitions for the expo on billboards across Paris, has said it would allocate $7.8 billion to host the event. In June, Prince Mohammed himself attended a reception in the French capital to promote the Saudi bid.

On Tuesday night, a celebratory light show illuminated Riyadh with fireworks shooting off the side of a skyscraper.

Over the past year, the kingdom had also courted deeper relationships with a number of states it previously had few or no connections to, exploring new investments and establishing diplomatic ties.

This month, Prince Mohammed hosted a summit of Caribbean leaders for the first time. In May, Colombia declared its official support for the kingdom’s Expo bid during a visit by a Saudi delegation that pledged to open an embassy in the country. And President Emmanuel Macron of France expressed early support for Saudi Arabia’s candidacy.

The Saudi bid had its detractors. Last week, 15 rights groups signed an open letter to the members of the Bureau International des Expositions urging them not to vote for Saudi Arabia because of its “history of violating basic human rights and curbing freedoms.”

Under Prince Mohammed, the conservative Islamic kingdom has witnessed a dramatic loosening of social restrictions, including for women, alongside a political crackdown on dissent that has deepened over the years.

Mayor Roberto Gualtieri of Rome — the city was Italy’s candidate to host the event — warned last week that a Saudi victory could mean a “grim, oppressive and dark” expo.

Early in his term, President Biden sought to isolate Saudi Arabia and Prince Mohammed over human rights violations like those in the war in Yemen and the murder of the exiled Saudi writer Jamal Khashoggi .

But time and again, the kingdom’s oil wealth and geopolitical influence have made it impossible to disregard. Mr. Biden visited last year , partly to seek the prince’s help in keeping down oil prices after Russia invaded Ukraine.

In Paris, Italy began its presentation to the expo voters with speeches by a British film producer and the Italian actress Sabrina Impacciatore, best known for her role in the HBO series “White Lotus.” It also enlisted the actor Russell Crowe, who starred in “Gladiator,” as an ambassador for its bid. But Italy finished a distant third, with 17 votes.

Some Italians took to social media to express their disappointment. Claudio Cerasa, editor of the Il Foglio newspaper, wrote on X that the vote was an “international exhibition of Rome’s (and Italy’s) ability to matter in the world (and in Europe).”

South Korea, which finished second with 29 votes, had also gone all out to promote its bid to host its first World Expo in the port city of Busan, appointing the K-pop band BTS as its ambassador, along with celebrities like the “Squid Game” star Lee Jung-jae.

The expo competition was not immune to the effects of the Israel-Hamas conflict and the war in Ukraine.

On Tuesday, Israeli news outlets reported that Israel — which has long wanted to establish formal relations with Saudi Arabia — had withdrawn its support for the Saudi bid because of Riyadh’s opposition to the war in Gaza. But Lior Haiat, a spokesman for Israel’s Foreign Ministry, rejected the report, saying that while the country did support Italy, it had never endorsed Saudi Arabia.

And during the presentations for the 2025 expo, the Russian representative announced that Moscow would not participate in the Osaka expo, after pulling its application to host the 2030 event, because of the “biased” attitude of member states.

Emma Bubola reported from London, and Vivian Nereim from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. John Yoon contributed reporting from Seoul.

Emma Bubola is a reporter based in London. More about Emma Bubola

Vivian Nereim is the lead reporter for The Times covering the countries of the Arabian Peninsula. She is based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. More about Vivian Nereim

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Riyadh Travel Fair 2023 Set to be Saudi Arabia’s Largest Travel and Tourism Event

The Kingdom’s largest domestic and outbound tourism promotion event is set to be held at The Arena Grenada Square in Riyadh from 22-24 May 2023 for the 13th consecutive year. This year’s event will feature a dedicated pavilion for the travel trade and media, providing exhibitors with valuable opportunities to host seminars and press conferences. Over 150 exhibitors representing more than 35 countries, including 30 national and regional pavilions, will grace the show floor, which has been expanded by 30% compared to the 2022 edition.

According to Mr. Bander Al Gryni, General Manager of ASAS Exhibitions, the organizer of the Riyadh Travel Fair : “Last year, the Riyadh Travel Fair featured 129 exhibitors with visitor attendance at 24,957. That was an increase of 20% compared to the 2019 edition. This year, we anticipate exhibitors to surpass 150, with expected visitor numbers exceeding 30,000.

Over 150 exhibitors representing more than 35 countries, including 30 national and regional pavilions, will grace the show floor

“Year after year, we have witnessed consistent positive growth in the number of participants, exhibitors, and attendees at RTF. With Saudi nationals increasingly traveling both domestically and overseas, the opportunities that the Riyadh Travel Fair provides for domestic and overseas destinations, hospitality service providers, and other tourism-related businesses to directly engage with the Kingdom’s leading travel professionals and travelers have never been more significant.”

The Riyadh Travel Fair is open to travel professionals and the general public looking for destination information and special deals

The Riyadh Travel Fair is open to travel professionals and the general public looking for destination information and special deals. Visitors to the 2023 edition will have the opportunity to interact directly with various tourism authorities, hotels, airlines and travel agents from around the world. The fair will be strongly represented by the Arabian Gulf region, including pavilions sponsored by The Royal Commission for AlUla, Amala Tourism, Qatar Tourism Authority, Flynas, and Al-Riyadh Travel & Tourism, among others. National pavilions, including those of Mauritius, Malta, Jordan, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Turkey, Azerbaijan, Trnava, and the Czech Republic, have also confirmed their attendance.

The ASAS Exhibition and Conference Organizing company is hosting the Riyadh Travel Fair 2023 with sponsorship from several partners. These include the Qatar Tourism Authority as a Strategic Partner, the Azerbaijan Tourism Board as a Diamond Sponsor, the Czech Republic, the Royal Commission for AlUla, and Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority as Gold Sponsors. FlyNas will serve as the Official Carrier. Additionally, for the first time, this year’s fair will feature St. Petersburg as a Gold Partner and 4 Seasons Travel Georgia and Al Meshini as Silver Partners.

Saudi Arabia visited by 100 million tourists in 2023

The kingdom aims to attract 150 million tourists by 2030, with 80 million domestic and 70 million international tourists

In a statement, Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Tourism Ahmed bin Aqeel Al-Khateeb announced that the tourism sector in the kingdom has achieved its target of hosting 100 million tourists in 2023. This figure includes domestic visitors and international tourists, who collectively spent SAR100bn.

“We have reached 100 million tourists this year, 77 million from home, 27 million from abroad, over 100 million,”Al Khateeb said at a conference organised by Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund, describing the 2023 figures.

Saudi Arabia targets 150 million visitors by 2030

Participating in a ministerial session titled “The Importance of the Private Sector in Achieving Vision 2030” at the second edition of the Public Investment Fund (PIF) and Private Sector Forum, Al-Khateeb highlighted the new strategy set by the Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman to attract 150 million tourists by 2030, with 80 million domestic and 70 million international tourists.

Al-Khateeb mentioned, “Definitely the expanding of the middle class in India and China will encourage further travel. The World Travel and Tourism Council is expecting international arrivals to double by 2032, which is very attractive for us.”  He emphasised the kingdom’s commitment to funding training programs, with over 100,000 young individuals trained last year, including 15,000 trained in top institutes worldwide to join the tourism sector.

He also acknowledged the role of the Human Resources Development Fund in increasing salaries.

Additionally, Al-Khateeb emphasised ongoing efforts to improve legislation and encourage investment, highlighting the establishment of the Tourism Development Fund , which has financed more than 50 projects totaling SAR35bn, making investment in the tourism sector more appealing globally.

The announcement comes less than five years after the kingdom fully opened up to tourism. However, there are ongoing concerns about the Israel crisis and its potential to affect the wider region.

Vision 2030

Tourism plays a significant role in Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s Vision 2030 reform agenda, which aims to transition the world’s biggest oil exporter away from fossil fuels and prepare for a post-oil future. The Saudi government has committed nearly $800bn towards infrastructure development for tourism purposes, and announced plans for a new airport in Riyadh to handle 120 million passengers by 2030.

Saudi Arabia, home to Islam’s holiest sites in Mecca and Medina, has traditionally welcomed pilgrims and business travelers.

The country introduced a general tourism visa in 2019, shortly before the onset of the coronavirus pandemic, which severely impacted the global tourism industry.

The kingdom fully removed the pandemic-era restrictions in 2023, and has announced a slew of projects to boost the tourism sector which continues to evolve as part of broader economic reforms.

Saudi Arabia’s economic prospects are positive for the year ahead, according to the World Bank ’s latest projections. The kingdom’s economy is expected to expand by 4.1 per cent this year, contributing to an anticipated 3.6 per cent rise in the combined GDP of GCC countries.

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Saudi Arabia Achieving Tourism Goals Ahead of Schedule

S everal years ago, Saudi Arabia announced an ambitious target of 100 million tourist visits by 2030. That figure was passed in 2023 , seven years ahead of schedule, according to Mahmoud Abdulhadi, deputy minister of tourism destinations enablement.

He said that of the 106 million, 27 million came from outside the country and the goal now is to substantially increase visitation from North America because he said, “visitors from North America are generally higher spending."

While his ministry is only about four years old, Saudi Arabia has always had a tourism industry, though it was mostly focused around religious travel. In recent years, the largest growth area has been leisure, with numbers in that segment doubling between 2019 and 2022; doubling again in 2023 “and still growing phenomenally,” according to Abdulhadi. In 2023, Saudi Arabia welcomed 330,756 visitors from the U.S.

The Kingdom is investing $800 billion into tourism by adding 500,000 hotel rooms , with major projects on the Red Sea and the building of culture sites, theme parks, sports venues and nature preserves to cater to a wide array of tourists. Saudi Arabia offers unique sites like Al-Ahsa Oasis in the eastern part of the country, the world’s largest oasis with over 2.5 million palm trees. On top of all that, said Abdulhadi, Saudi Arabia has been ranked the safest country in the Middle East.

As evidence of its enhanced commitment to tourism development Saudi tourism’s largest delegation, with over 75 influential Saudi stakeholders from key Saudi destinations, participated in the World Travel Market (WTM) in London last fall, marking a 48 percent increase compared with the previous year.

The bulk of visitors from North America currently come through tour operators and travel advisors. The Saudi Tourism Authority has a presence in the U.S. and is responsible for marketing the country here.

One mission for tourism officials, said Abdulhadi, is to familiarize North American travelers and the trade with Saudi Arabia, which is as big as Western Europe with countless things to see and do. As is the case with the U.S., he said, Saudi Arabia has regional differences as far as culture and geography.

When the tourism ecosystem was developed, said Abdulhadi, air connectivity was key and there is now a strong domestic network of airports and flights with the country working on increasing service from North America, Europe and Asia.

Visitors come to see the major cities like Riyadh and Jeddah, as well as many historical and cultural sites. While the weather is very hot in the summer, the country does have a mountainous area where the temperatures are cooler.

As for sun and sea, there are major projects on the Red Sea, including the building of high-end resorts. The country is aiming to avoid overtourism by focusing on quality products. As a result, resorts that have opened include a Six Senses, a St. Regis and a Ritz-Carlton Reserve on the Red Sea. There is a pipeline or two or three more resorts of that caliber.

A massive entertainment center is under development that will include hotels, theme parks and even a Formula auto race track. The majority of this development will be completed around 2030.

The Kingdom has also become a venue for major events, said Abdulahi. Saudi Arabia is hosting Riyadh Expo 2030, a world’s fair; and the Asian Winter Games in 2029.

The Kingdom’s traditional religious market has taken on a new tone with the loosening of visa restrictions around the Umrah pilgrimages (the Hajj pilgrimage is its own separate situation.). Pilgrims can arrive in Saudi Arabia through any international or regional airport, as there are no designated airports specifically for Umrah.

Once in the Kingdom, Umrah visa holders have the flexibility to travel freely between Makkah, Madinah, and other cities across the country. Anyone holding a valid Umrah visa is welcome to explore and experience the diverse regions and cities the country has to offer during their stay.

The bottom line, said Abdulhadi, is that “if you’re looking for culture and heritage, we have that. If you’re looking for sun and sea, we have that. And if you’re looking for deserts, we have that.”

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Why is Saudi Arabia cutting funding, reducing costs on ambitious projects?

Over the last few months, employees working for state-backed Saudi companies have been startled by unforeseen cost cuts. It started during the first quarter of 2024 and affected those working in diverse sectors across the kingdom, from the media to the country's ambitious giga projects . Department spendings were significantly reduced, employees were made redundant and managements did everything big and small to save money, causing an atmosphere of tension and uncertainty.

The feelings of ease that accompanied what appeared to be unlimited resources in previous years, with lavish spending on grand events and launches, were replaced with fear over what might happen in the future.

Those concerns were heightened when news of reduced spending on giga projects was released.

In April it was announced that Neom’s mirror-clad desert city called The Line had been scaled back. It was meant to extend for 170 kilometers (105 miles) and be the eventual home of 1.5 million residents, but project officials told Bloomberg in April that it would prioritize the “first module” and build just 2.4 kilometers (1.9 miles) and house 300,000 residents by 2030. 

“Government spending cuts are best understood as expenditure rationalization, improved decision-making and cost-benefit analysis of projects, including mega projects, in the light of achievements since the launch of Vision 2030,” Nasser Saidi, former Lebanese economy and trade minister and founder of economic and business advisory consultancy Nasser Saidi & Associates, told Al-Monitor. “The Saudi economy remains in a transformation phase with increased policy emphasis on growing the non-oil sector for economic diversification and greater private sector participation.”

Saudi analysts agree. 

“The strategy of the Saudi economy is based on the portfolio approach: The Saudis will be reviewing projects on a continuous basis, and projects that have shown more promise will get more money,” Ali Shihabi, a Saudi analyst and commentator, told Al-Monitor.

Saudi Minister of Finance Mohammed bin Abdullah Al-Jadaan addressed sudden changes in spending during a meeting at the World Economic Forum in Riyadh in April 2024, stating, “There are challenges … we don’t have ego. … We’ll change course, we’ll adjust, we’ll extend some of the projects, we’ll downscale some projects, we’ll accelerate some projects.”

As Shihabi puts it, “Ultimately, the commitments made under Vision 2030 are more than the resources available. It was a very ambitious plan put together, and the government never expected more than 40-50% of it to be achieved.”

A hunt for foreign money

Saudi Arabia is now increasingly on the hunt for foreign cash to help achieve MBS’s grand Vision 2030 goals : boost economic growth, reduce the budget deficit, diversify the economy and ultimately end its reliance on oil.

Foreign direct investment (FDI) in the kingdom is still below expectations and has for years fallen behind projections set forth by the Saudi National Investment Strategy. 

According to GaStat, FDI inflows clocked in at $19 billion in 2023, lower than the $22 billion annual FDI target set out in the National Investment Strategy for 2023. Inflows for 2023 were also lower than in 2021, which saw $27 billion, and 2022, which brought in $33 billion.

Global interest rates remain high, averaging around 4% over the next two years, nearly twice the average recorded during the two decades before the pandemic, according to a recent World Bank report, meaning that investors will be cautious. 

Last week, after it began preparing more that one year ago to sell shares of state oil giant Aramco, targeting FDI, Saudi Arabia is set to raise $11.2 billion from its secondary public share offering. The stock was priced lower than its expected range, and over half were sold to foreign investors, according to Reuters. 

Other future financial commitments for Saudi Arabia include major events. These include the Asian Winter Games in 2029 to be held in Trojena, a Saudi mountain resort; the Asia Cup 2027; Expo 2030 in Riyadh; and the FIFA World Cup 2034.

Events such as these don’t necessarily see returns but do increase the global recognition of the Saudi brand, just as the 22nd FIFA World Cup in Doha and Expo 2020 Dubai did.

Diversification paying off

While abrupt cost cutting in Saudi sectors is largely reflective of a “reconsidering of priorities,” as Saudis have called it under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s multitrillion-dollar Vision 2030 plan, the kingdom’s diversification efforts are paying off.

“Significant diversification efforts have been underway, with Saudi diversifying in three dimensions: more diversified economic activity, more diversified trade and greater diversification of government revenues,” said Saidi. “New sectors have been unlocked— not just overdependence on real estate and construction, including mining, tourism, entertainment and renewable energy.”

Additionally, he underlined, “Saudi Arabia is fully engaged in the energy transition as witnessed through its great investments in clean and renewable energy and electric mobility and its undertaking of a de-risking of fossil fuel assets as witnessed by Aramco share sale.”

The composition of Saudi Arabia’s GDP is now more diversified. According to a report by Tim Callen for AGISW, the share of private non-oil sector in total nominal GDP increased to 44.6% in 2023, up from 39.6% in 2022 and 42.8% in 2018.

Proof of Saudi Arabia’s progress in diversification is also reflected in its improved score in the Economic Diversification Index (EDI), an annual report issued by the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government in Dubai. Saudi Arabia was ranked 91st in 2022, climbing up over 10 spots since it was ranked 105th in 2000, among the bottom 10 nations. In 2019, pre-Covid, it was ranked 78th globally. 

While diversification is progressing, the kingdom, as Al-Jaadan stated during the Qatar Economic Forum, remains dependent on one commodity: oil. 

According to the latest data from the country's ministry of finance, overall revenues grew by 4% year-on-year to SAR 193.4 billion in Q1 2024 thanks to a 2% year-on-year increase in oil revenues, while non-oil revenues grew at raster rate of 9%. Most non-oil revenues are derived from taxes on goods and services, up 11% year-on-year to SAR 69.9 billion until the end of March. Taxes from income, profit and capital gains, on the other hand, fell by 9% year-on-year to SAR 6.6 billion.

Overall deficit stood at SAR 12.49 billion ($3.3 billion) in Q1 2024, marking the sixth consecutive quarter of deficits. 

In May, Al-Jaadan, when announcing the quarterly budget performance report in Riyadh, stated how the country was “intentionally running a sustainable deficit for economic development.” 

The deficit is not a just a consequence but a means to achieve development goals, he underlined. A budget deficit of SAR 79 billion has been forecast for this year.

At present everyone is waiting for the government to release the new budget, which, a Saudi source told Al-Monitor, is expected this month. 

As an employee in a Saudi media company said on condition of anonymity, “Nobody knows what the new budget will be for state-backed Saudi companies, but the cost-cutting may have something to do with anticipated budget cuts.”

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Saudi Arabia targets Chile for lithium investments

Saudi Arabia’s mining minister Bandar Alkhorayef will visit Chile next month to negotiate a deal to secure lithium to support the kingdom’s ambition to expand its electric vehicle (EV) sector, a news report said.

Alkhorayef will meet with his counterpart in Santiago, Reuters reported, quoting a Chilean government statement.

The report said the two officials will discuss potential lithium industry investments.

The Public Investment Fund, Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund, owns 60 percent of Californian EV manufacturer Lucid, with its investments reaching $5.4 billion since 2018. In May 2023, Lucid announced its latest capital raise of $3 billion, including a $1.8 billion investment by a PIF affiliate.

The EV maker opened its first  car manufacturing facility  last September in King Abdullah Economic City, which will have the capacity to assemble 5,000 vehicles per annum in the first phase.

In March Ceer, Saudi Arabia’s first electric vehicle brand, awarded a SAR5 billion ($1.3 billion) contract to construct a manufacturing complex in King Abdullah Economic City.

Raw lithium is used primarily in battery manufacture and is extracted via two processes: mining of metal-bearing rocks – which accounted for about 57 percent of global supply in 2023 – and distillation from brine, which accounted for the rest. 

Lithium is one of the most abundant metals on Earth because of its presence in salt water, explains Martin Jackson, head of battery raw materials at metals and mining analyst CRU. 

Two companies are dominant in the industry – Chile’s SQM and US business Albemarle. In 2023, each commanded about 20 percent of global supply.

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