The Inaugural Riyadh TOURISE Summit Redefines Global Tourism Collaboration And Investment In Saudi Arabia

Published on December 10, 2025

The global landscape of travel and tourism has been fundamentally reshaped following the inaugural TOURISE Summit, which was hosted in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from November 11–13, 2025. This pivotal event, powered by the Saudi Ministry of Tourism, was conceived as the world’s premier platform for redefining and constructing a new horizon for global tourism. The objective was clearly articulated: to ensure the industry is established upon principles that are sustainable, equitable, and inherently future-focused. Leadership was provided by His Excellency Ahmed Al Khateeb, Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Tourism and Chairman of TOURISE, whose vision saw the convergence of unparalleled influence.

The summit was designed to move beyond traditional dialogue, actively seeking to facilitate high-impact initiatives and transformative deals that would reset the sector. A remarkable testament to its scale and ambition was the successful catalyzing of investment portfolios totaling USD 113BN, underscoring the platform’s mandate to unlock significant financial commitments for the industry’s advancement. The entire rewriting of the travel narrative was intended, transitioning from fragmented silos to a cohesive ecosystem where competitors are actively encouraged to become partners, and high-value opportunities are seized through cross-sector collaboration.

A Global Nexus for Unprecedented Cooperation

The scale of the gathering was truly reflective of the gravity of its mission, with the Summit being strategically convened immediately following the 50th United Nations Tourism General Assembly. Nearly 10,000 registrations were received for the three-day event, drawing attendees from over 100 countries. The delegation was defined by its high-level representation across public and private sectors. Key stakeholders included 42 ministers, a staggering 2040 CEOs, chairs, and founders, and an intellectual powerhouse of 137 speakers who led discussions across 67 sessions.

Such concentration of global decision-makers in one location ensured that every discussion was imbued with the potential for immediate, actionable outcomes. The platform’s success in uniting government officials, business executives, investors, and technological innovators—all key components of the modern travel ecosystem—was evident in the forging of 80 announcements and MoUs.

Unprecedented Investment Catalyzation

A central measure of the summit’s effectiveness was found in its capacity to generate significant capital flow into the tourism ecosystem. The announcement of USD 113BN in investment portfolios being catalyzed was a landmark moment, reflecting TOURISE’s operational mission to facilitate deal flow by bringing together public and private sector leaders spanning tourism, technology, investment, and sustainability.

This monumental capital injection is viewed as essential for funding the shared roadmap set for the next fifty years of global tourism. The investment emphasis was placed on innovation, technology adoption, and infrastructure development, particularly in emerging markets where sustainable growth is urgently needed. By mobilizing such levels of finance, the Summit signaled a firm commitment to building a more resilient, connected, and inclusive tourism industry globally, ensuring that the necessary resources are directed toward long-term sector transformation rather than short-term gains.

Foundations for a Future-Focused and Equitable Sector

The thematic focus of the summit was firmly rooted in defining the future of travel. Discussions were meticulously curated to address the big questions currently redefining the sector, moving beyond traditional concerns to encompass advanced topics such as AI-powered travel experiences, the implementation of frictionless borders, and innovative destination design principles. Critical attention was also given to the imperative of sustainability, recognizing the profound responsibility the industry holds toward environmental preservation and local community empowerment.

The Kingdom’s Ascendancy and Strategic Mandate

The hosting of this definitive global platform by Saudi Arabia was strategically significant and reflective of its own monumental strides in the tourism sector. The nation’s rapid development in tourism has been driven by the ambitious goals of Saudi Vision 2030. The scale of this achievement was highlighted by the fact that Saudi Arabia successfully surpassed its initial 2030 tourism targets seven years ahead of schedule, having welcomed 109.34 million visitors in 2023.

The Saudi Tourism Authority (STA), under the leadership of its founding CEO and Vice Chair of TOURISE, Fahd Hamidaddin, has played a central role in this transformation. The STA’s mandate involves serving as a vital bridge between government entities, private sector innovators, and international partners, ensuring that the Kingdom’s rich cultural heritage, natural wonders, and unique experiences are effectively promoted to the world. The TOURISE Summit, therefore, was not merely an event hosted in Riyadh but an extension of the nation’s vision, demonstrating its commitment to leveraging its growth to facilitate global industry development and collaboration.

Establishing a Continuous Legacy

The TOURISE Summit was consciously designed to be more than a conventional three-day conference; rather, it was established as a continuous, year-round platform engineered for scale and sustained impact. Following the conclusion of the formal gathering on November 13, 2025, the groundwork was laid for ongoing digital collaboration, the formation of thematic working groups, and enduring cross-sector partnerships aimed at long-term transformation. A commitment was made to author a series of white papers and global indices, developed in partnership with leading international organizations, with a specific focus on sustainability and the global economy. Through this holistic and enduring approach, the TOURISE Summit in Riyadh has demonstrably set a new global benchmark, ensuring that the foundational work of building a more resilient and collaborative future for global tourism continues long after the delegates have returned home.