Saudi Arabia Hosts Leading Hospitality Conference in Riyadh to Drive Tourism Development, Here’s All You Need to Know

Published on November 26, 2025

Saudi Arabia’s Future Hospitality Summit (FHS), one of the leading hospitality investment conferences in the Kingdom is now heading to Riyadh for the 9th time! Following the success of this year’s summit, the event will now occur again in the luxurious Mandarin Oriental Al Faisaliah from 20 to 22 April 2026. With the FHS becoming an essential driver of the Vision 2030 hospitality sector, Saudi Arabia is transforming to become one of the leading nations in global tourism.

Celebrating Success and Unveiling Opportunities

The 2025 edition of the FHS Saudi Arabia attracted over 1,100 global hospitality investors, innovators, and key decision-makers, making it a landmark event. During the summit, 11 significant hotel signings and strategic announcements underscored the Kingdom’s ongoing transformation in tourism. With Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 blueprint aiming to add more than 362,000 hotel rooms by the end of the decade, the FHS plays an integral role in facilitating business opportunities.

In 2025, delegates reported a total of USD 1.6 billion in business opportunities, cementing the event’s reputation as the region’s premier deal-making forum. As the Kingdom continues to position tourism as a major economic driver, this year’s success further confirmed that Saudi Arabia is on track to becoming one of the world’s most important travel destinations.

FHS 2026 Theme: “Where Opportunity Meets Capital”

The upcoming FHS Saudi Arabia 2026 will focus on the theme “Where Opportunity Meets Capital,” a concept aimed at bringing together hospitality leaders, investors, and decision-makers to explore the rapidly expanding sector. The summit will delve into key topics such as hotel performance, investment prospects, market trends, and strategic development across the Kingdom. The event will provide actionable insights and set the stage for collaboration to ensure that Saudi Arabia’s hospitality sector remains at the forefront of the global travel industry.

As the tourism sector continues to evolve, FHS 2026 will aim to address the challenges and opportunities that define the landscape. With Saudi Arabia’s tourism industry on a rapid growth trajectory, FHS will provide the critical space for stakeholders to discuss, plan, and accelerate the Kingdom’s rise as a global tourism powerhouse.

Shaping the Kingdom’s Identity: Homegrown Hospitality Brands

One of the key highlights from the recent FHS Saudi Arabia Advisory Board meeting was the growing importance of promoting and expanding homegrown Saudi hospitality brands. As part of Vision 2030’s broader goal to diversify the Kingdom’s economy, there is a concerted effort to create authentic, locally-driven tourism experiences that resonate with both domestic and international travelers.

Saudi Arabia’s rich cultural heritage and diverse landscapes offer a unique opportunity for the development of homegrown brands that reflect the Kingdom’s identity and values. The rise of these brands not only supports local businesses but also helps in shaping the national tourism narrative, offering tourists the chance to experience the true essence of Saudi Arabia.

Experience-Driven Tourism and Emerging Segments

In line with the global shift towards experience-driven tourism, the FHS Saudi Arabia 2026 will focus on the growing importance of experiential and organic tourism segments. With Saudi Arabia’s varied landscapes, including desert resorts, historical landmarks, and coastal destinations, the Kingdom is uniquely positioned to offer tailored experiences to a wide range of visitors, from adventure-seekers to cultural enthusiasts.

The summit will explore how Saudi Arabia can continue to evolve its tourism offerings to meet the increasing demand for personalized and immersive experiences. This includes a greater emphasis on wellness tourism, eco-tourism, and cultural heritage tourism, all of which are expected to play a significant role in attracting global tourists.

Branded Residences and the Impact on Luxury Tourism

A major development within the hospitality sector is the global boom in branded residences, which has seen a 455% increase in under-construction projects over the last decade. This trend is set to make a significant impact on Saudi Arabia’s luxury tourism sector, especially as the Kingdom aims to attract high-net-worth individuals and international investors.

Branded residences, which combine luxury living with hospitality services, are becoming a key aspect of the Kingdom’s luxury tourism development strategy. At FHS 2026, the impact of branded residences on Saudi Arabia’s tourism sector will be a central topic of discussion. As more luxury properties are developed, they will not only raise the standard of accommodation but also appeal to the growing number of wealthy tourists seeking high-end, bespoke experiences.

Adapting to New Financial Models and Foreign Investment

As Saudi Arabia’s hospitality industry grows, the demand for capital to fund new developments also increases. One of the central themes to emerge from the FHS Saudi Arabia Advisory Board meetings was the need for more robust industry data and transparency in project pipelines. Additionally, participants noted the importance of diversifying financing options to include alternative sources, such as capital markets, to complement traditional banking models.

The evolving landscape of foreign direct investment (FDI) laws will also be critical in attracting international capital to the Kingdom’s tourism sector. As interest in branded residences continues to rise, ensuring clear regulations around foreign ownership will be crucial in maintaining the momentum of growth.

Hospitality and the Future of Tourism in Saudi Arabia

The FHS Saudi Arabia 2026 will explore a variety of themes critical to the future of tourism in the Kingdom, including:

1. Investment & Real Estate: Strategies to develop new hospitality assets and diversify the types of accommodations available to tourists.
2. Technology & Innovation: How digital transformation can enhance the tourist experience, from booking platforms to virtual reality travel experiences.
3. Talent & Education: Addressing the skills gap in the tourism and hospitality sectors and creating a strong pipeline of talent to meet the demands of a growing industry.
4. Wellness & Lifestyle: Exploring the rise of wellness tourism, a key segment in the Kingdom’s development of holistic, experience-driven destinations.
5. Food & Beverage (F&B): How the culinary scene is becoming an integral part of the tourism experience, with a focus on both local and international flavors.
6. Branded Residences Forum: An in-depth discussion on the growing market for luxury branded residences and their potential impact on the hospitality sector.

Looking Forward to 2026

With the countdown now commencing for the FHS Saudi Arabia 2026, the summit promises to be a game changer for the Kingdom’s hospitality business sector. Industry leaders and innovators will be brought together to overcome the challenges to be faced and seize the monumental opportunities that Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 to be unpicked. It will continue to shape the hospitality future of the Kingdom and cement the country as a global tourist destination.