Saudi Arabia unveils TOURISE
Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Tourism, Ahmed Al-Khateeb has formally launched TOURISE, a daring new international platform designed to form a brand new horizon and plot a shared roadmap for the following 50 years of tourism.
Built for ambition and backed by imaginative and prescient, TOURISE will convene a dynamic cross-section of private and non-private sector trade giants for the primary time. Visionary leaders with tourism, expertise, funding, sustainability, and cultural experience might be related to deal with vital challenges, unlock transformative alternatives and set the agenda for a sector that’s sustainable, equitable and future-focused.
Along with international companions from multilateral establishments to non-public sector leaders, TOURISE is designed to unlock main, unprecedented deal circulation, with high-value funding alternatives and entry to breakthrough applied sciences set to be introduced and activated by means of the platform.
TOURISE isn’t any abnormal occasion; it’s a international platform structured for year-round impression at scale by means of digital collaboration, thematic working teams, and cross-sector partnerships centered on long-term sector transformation. This will embody authoring a sequence of white papers and international indices centered on tourism, sustainability and international financial system, co-developed with main worldwide organizations, setting new benchmarks for the tourism sector.
The inaugural TOURISE Summit will happen in Riyadh from 11 to 13, November 2025. The program, which will even be livestreamed, will give attention to 4 core themes: The Future of AI-Powered Tourism – Innovate or Fade; The Great Tourism Reset – Disruptive Business Models and Investment; Rebooting the Travel Experience – Upgrade in Progress; and Tourism that Works – for People, Planet, and Progress. A devoted Innovation Zone will showcase breakthrough applied sciences and options from SMEs and mid to massive firms spanning AI, mobility, sustainability, and extra from innovators throughout each private and non-private sectors.
According to the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), this yr tourism is on a robust upward trajectory, with the sector projected to contribute $11.7 trillion to the worldwide financial system -10.3% of worldwide GDP – highlighting a robust restoration. Yet, challenges similar to shifting market dynamics, evolving traveler preferences, and capability constraints proceed to pose dangers to keep up progress. At this vital juncture, TOURISE supplies the strategic help wanted to navigate these headwinds and maintain momentum.
Speaking on the digital launch, Minister of Tourism and TOURISE Chairman, Ahmed Al-Khateeb mentioned: “Tourism is one of the most dynamic, connective forces in the world’s economy, supporting one in ten jobs globally. But as the world evolves, the sector must too. Whether adapting to technological disruption and changing traveler expectations, to addressing the urgent calls for sustainability and a more equitable approach to travel, TOURISE will be the much-needed platform to shape the future of tourism. It will unite the right people to develop innovative solutions and build partnerships, enabling the tourism sector to be more resilient, connected, and inclusive than ever before.”
Julia Simpson, World Travel & Tourism Council President & CEO, and TOURISE Advisory Board Member, who joined to formally launch TOURISE, mentioned: “We are delighted to be a part of this global initiative and continue our long-standing collaboration across the entire tourism ecosystem. For this industry to evolve and reach its full potential, public-private sector collaboration is critical to the continued success of Travel & Tourism worldwide. Together, we can address the challenges of today while co-creating a sustainable and innovative future for tomorrow.”
TOURISE is backed by an advisory board chaired by His Excellency, with international specialists from on-line journey businesses, tour operators, hoteliers, international tourism our bodies, leisure, and media, together with: Mario Enzesberger, Founder and CEO, Liberty International Tourism Group; Mo Gawdat, Founder, One Billion Happy; Stephane Lefebvre, President, Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group; Luis Maroto, CEO, Amadeus; and Julia Simpson CEO, World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC); and Thomas Woldbye, CEO, Heathrow Airport.
The inaugural TOURISE Awards have been additionally introduced – a stand-out recognition program celebrating vacation spot excellence throughout the worldwide tourism ecosystem. The awards will highlight notable achievements in sustainability, digital transformation, inclusive tourism, cultural preservation, and workforce growth. Nomination submissions will open on June 2, and award winners might be introduced on the opening evening of the TOURISE Summit.
TOURISE builds on Saudi Arabia’s rising position as a core contributor and driver within the international tourism panorama alongside main trade organizations together with UN Tourism, WTTC, and the World Economic Forum (WEF). In 2024 alone, Saudi Arabia hit its Vision 2030 goal of 100 million guests yearly, seven years early and the tourism sector contributed virtually 5 5% to the nationwide GDP, second solely to grease manufacturing. This underscores Saudi Arabia’s rising affect and long-term dedication to supporting tourism as a driver of worldwide progress and progress. In constructing TOURISE with international companions – from multilateral establishments to non-public sector leaders – Saudi Arabia will guarantee its management will ship worldwide impression.