Connections Saudi gathers more than 600 travel trade professionals in Riyadh

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Connections Saudi participants at dinner hosted by Red Sea Global. Image: Sarah Lucy Brown

More than 600 travel trade professionals gathered in Riyadh for the inaugural edition of Connections Saudi, an event that combined curated cultural experiences with strategic networking to forge new business relationships and spotlight Saudi Arabia’s evolving tourism landscape.

Held from 10 to 14 November in partnership with the Saudi Tourism Authority (STA), the four-day event took place alongside the inaugural Tourise Summit, further expanding opportunities for delegates to connect and build partnerships.

Designed around The Connections Way — an approach that blends commercial discussions with shared cultural, culinary and wellness activities — the event hosted 250 specially selected international buyers, 250 Saudi suppliers and delegates from across the public and private sectors.

Attendees praised the event’s immersive format, citing its success in fostering trust, understanding and lasting partnerships through meaningful shared experiences.

More than 5,900 meetings were held over four days

More than 5,900 one-to-one meetings were held, each designed to inspire collaboration and strengthen long-term relationships. Delegates also attended educational sessions covering investment, culture and sustainability, along with destination showcases featuring Aseer, Al Baha, AlUla and Six Senses Southern Dunes.

Participants experienced Saudi’s transformation first-hand through a programme that moved seamlessly from heritage encounters to future-focused developments.

One highlight was a curated cultural experience in Diriyah, a historic site and emerging destination on the outskirts of Riyadh. Attendees toured the Unessco-listed At-Turaif Historical District, then dined at Villa Mamas on Al Bujairi Terrace, overlooking the illuminated heritage site.

Delegates visited he Unesco-listed At-Turaif Historical District

Delegates were also given a preview of Qiddiya City Six Flags, the upcoming theme park and entertainment mega-project set to open on 31 December 2025. Guided tours, EduTour sessions and evening entertainment – including the Citadel Night Show and Drone Show – offered a glimpse into the destination’s ambitious leisure offerings.

The event concluded with a private dinner at the InterContinental Riyadh, hosted by Red Sea Global, the developer behind one of the world’s most ambitious regenerative tourism projects with plans to open 80 resorts by 2030.

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Duncan Horton, Group CEO of Jacobs Media, organiser of the Connections event series, said: “The collaboration between STA and Connections Saudi highlights our shared commitment to supporting a tourism industry that is sustainable, inclusive and future-focused. As Saudi continues to welcome record numbers of visitors, gatherings like Connections Saudi showcase the innovation and diversity that define the destination."

Abdullah Aldakhil, Spokesperson of the Saudi Tourism Authority, added: “Connections Saudi reflects Saudi’s commitment to creating meaningful, human-centred partnerships that drive growth and innovation across the tourism sector. Hosting the event alongside Tourise underscored our shared ambition to position Saudi not only as a destination of unparalleled experiences, but also as a global convenor shaping the future of tourism alongside the greatest minds in the industry.”

Part of the global Connections series, which has previously hosted editions in Qatar and Bahrain, Connections Saudi represents another milestone in the growing collaboration between international travel leaders and the Kingdom’s rapidly expanding tourism sector.

Images by Sarah Lucy Brown. For more information, visit connectionsluxury.com/saudi-2025