From 10 to 14 November 2025, Riyadh will host one of the tourism industry’s most important events of the year: Connections Saudi 2025. This invitation-only forum brings together 250 international buyers and 250 Saudi suppliers to create partnerships across luxury travel, cultural experiences, adventure tourism and hospitality.
Hosted in partnership with the Saudi Tourism Authority (STA), the event aims to unlock new opportunities in a fast-growing sector. Attendees will engage in pre-scheduled one-on-one meetings—a hallmark of the Connections format—while also taking part in cultural, culinary and wellness programmes.
Immersive Itinerary: Business Meets Experience
While networking drives the first days of the event, the programme goes beyond business. On 11 November, delegates visit Diriyah and the UNESCO-listed At‑Turaif Historical District. They’ll tour the heritage site and enjoy a traditional Saudi dinner—offering an authentic taste of Saudi culture and hospitality.
On 12 November, participants travel to Qiddiya City. Here they will explore a new world-class entertainment and leisure destination that includes the upcoming Six Flags park: thrilling rides, hospitality venues, event spaces and retail settings. The day ends with a spectacular Citadel Night Show and drone display, underscoring Saudi Arabia’s technological and creative progress.
Aligning with Vision 2030: A Tourism Transformation
The event aligns closely with the Kingdom’s broader tourism blueprint. Under Vision 2030, tourism is positioned as a key driver of economic diversification, growth and global positioning. Saudi authorities aim to lift tourism’s share of GDP and create jobs through this sector.
Grand projects such as Red Sea Project, NEOM and Qiddiya are central to this vision. They combine luxury, adventure, culture and technology to reshape the Saudi travel landscape. Travel reports show the Kingdom is already out-pacing many global peers in tourism recoveries and growth.
Connections Saudi and TOURISE: Shaping Tomorrow’s Travel
During the week of Connections Saudi, attendees will also participate in TOURISE Summit taking place on 13 November. This platform brings together policymakers, innovators and industry leaders to explore sustainable tourism, tech-enabled travel and next-generation hospitality. The pairing of both events underscores the Kingdom’s ambition to drive global tourism agendas, not just respond to them.
Why Riyadh? Saudi Arabia’s Capital as a Tourism Hub
Riyadh is rapidly emerging as a major hub for business events and tourism. With modern infrastructure, premium accommodation and a strategic location, the city is ideal for hosting a global gathering of the travel trade. For participants, it offers both access and insight: a front-row seat to witness both business potential and cultural transformation first-hand.
What This Means for the Travel Industry
For international travel buyers, Saudi Arabia’s shift opens new corridors and product ideas: luxury desert resorts, adventure parks, culture-rich heritage tours, wellness escapes and MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions) venues that bridge East and West. For Saudi suppliers, the event provides access to global buyers and platforms to showcase their creativity, innovation and hospitality standards.
Looking Ahead: A Bright Future for Saudi Tourism
As Connections Saudi 2025 draws to a close on 14 November, the private dinner hosted by Red Sea Global at the InterContinental Riyadh will mark the end of a week of high-level engagement. More importantly, it marks the beginning of deeper, long-term tourism relationships. With luxury, adventure and cultural tourism now firmly on Saudi Arabia’s map, the Kingdom is positioning itself to become a must-visit global destination.
For travelers and travel companies alike, the message is clear: Saudi Arabia is not only open — it is ready. The stage is set to explore new horizons, forge partnerships and experience one of the world’s most dynamic tourism markets evolve in real time.
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