TOURISE Summit Riyadh sets a new benchmark for global tourism collaboration

TOURISE Summit Riyadh marked a decisive moment for global tourism development, establishing a new model of collaboration that unites public institutions, private operators and government-to-government partners within a single platform. In an interview with TravelDailyNews International, Abdullah Al Dakhil, the official spokesperson for TOURISE and Global PR & Communications Senior Director at Saudi Tourism Authority, described the event as a milestone shaped by a forward-looking vision aimed at defining the next 50 years of the tourism sector. The summit took place immediately after the UN Tourism’s 50-year anniversary celebrations in Riyadh, positioning Saudi Arabia as a global convener at a moment of significant industry transformation.

During the discussion, Al Dakhil emphasised that TOURISE is the first global event to move beyond the traditional B2B or B2C frameworks by integrating private-sector entities, public-sector organisations and G2G partners. According to him, this multidimensional approach reflects the Kingdom’s ambition to accelerate tourism’s evolution through cooperation at all levels. He noted that the scale of participation demonstrated strong interest from global stakeholders, with more than 10,000 attendees representing over 100 nationalities. The programme featured over 140 speakers, more than 40 panel sessions and 15 workshops, all designed to deliver insights into the immediate needs and future priorities of the tourism economy.

The outcomes of the summit underscore its strategic impact. Al Dakhil confirmed that more than 80 Memoranda of Understanding and agreements were signed during the event, amounting to US$113 billion in investment commitments for both Saudi Arabia and international markets. He underlined that these agreements reflect meaningful partnerships with long-term value rather than symbolic signings, demonstrating a shared intent to implement concrete initiatives that support tourism growth, innovation and workforce development.

The atmosphere of the three-day event was intentionally designed to sustain high engagement and productive dialogue. Al Dakhil explained that His Excellency Ahmed Al Khateeb, Minister of Tourism, encouraged all delegates to “enjoy their time” and “have a vacation,” which helped create an environment that blended business focus with positive energy. Elements such as the presence of Nikki Beach contributed to a hospitality-driven setting, reinforcing the importance of experiential learning and informal networking within the industry.

From a strategic perspective, Al Dakhil described TOURISE as the realisation of an idea conceived two years earlier, now evolving into a global platform shaping the sector’s long-term trajectory. He linked the summit’s success to the broader transformation underway in Saudi Arabia, particularly the vision that has guided the country since the introduction of e-visas in 2019. At that time, the message “Welcome to Arabia” invited the world to discover the Kingdom, and TOURISE demonstrated how the world is now actively converging in Saudi Arabia to discuss the future of tourism.

A central theme of the interview was the industry-wide conversation on Artificial Intelligence. Rather than focusing on job displacement, Al Dakhil stressed that the summit explored how AI can enhance the efficiency of tourism professionals. He explained that the aim is to empower employees with advanced tools that support service excellence, optimise operations and elevate the visitor experience. This perspective positions Saudi Arabia as an advocate for a technology-enabled but human-centred tourism framework.

Looking ahead, the momentum generated by the inaugural summit paved the way for the immediate announcement of the next edition, scheduled for March 2027. Al Dakhil highlighted that the short 15-month interval underscores confidence in the platform’s relevance and the sector’s need for structured, high-level dialogue on future challenges and opportunities.

Through its scale, ambition and future orientation, the Tourise Summit Riyadh has positioned itself as a key global forum for tourism development. As Al Dakhil noted, it reflects a commitment to shape—not merely observe—the future of the global tourism industry.

The article TOURISE Summit Riyadh sets a new benchmark for global tourism collaboration first appeared in TravelDailyNews International.

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