Connections travel trade event to launch in Saudi Arabia this year

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Connections Saudi, an immersive event for leading travel buyers and suppliers, is launching in November 2025 in partnership with Saudi Tourism Authority (STA).

Organised by Jacobs Media, publishers of Connecting Travel, Connections Saudi will bring together 600 global attendees, including handpicked international travel buyers from key markets and leading Saudi tourism suppliers for one-to-one meetings and cultural activities.

The five-day event will take place from 10-14 November 2025 in Riyadh and coincide with Tourise, a new platform and event designed to shape and promote the future of global travel and tourism.

Attendees will engage in carefully curated one-to-one meetings and networking opportunities designed to foster trust and facilitate business opportunities and will also participate in authentic local experiences that will showcase the kingdom’s culture and top tourism offerings.

Authentic local experiences will be part of the event offering

Connections Saudi is the latest in the Connections portfolio, with its community of international buyers having spending power of US$7.8 billion.

Unprecedented investment in tourism infrastructure and a strong commitment to hospitality authenticity in recent years has seen Saudi attract 116 million visitors in 2024, surpassing its original 100 million target seven years ahead of schedule. The new target is 150 million tourists annually by 2030.

Signature developments include The Red Sea, Diriyah, dubbed The City of Earth, and AlUla, an ancient desert landscape in the Medina Province, home to the kingdom’s first Unesco World Heritage Site.

The Red Sea, Saudi Arabia

Commenting on the partnership, Fahd Hamidaddin, CEO of the Saudi Tourism Authority, said:

“This partnership with Jacobs Media for Connections Saudi underscores our commitment to positioning Saudi Arabia as a premier destination and global hub for events.

“The collaboration offers an exciting opportunity to showcase the natural beauty, rich heritage, and innovation that is fuelling record-breaking tourism and driving significant economic growth.”

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Clive Jacobs, Chairman and Founder of Jacobs Media, added that Connections Saudi is “an exciting evolution in global trade events” and that Saudi’s ambition and investment make it “one of the most compelling destinations for the international travel trade”.

Connections is the international private community for trusted decision-makers in travel, with a series of global events that bring together travel agents and suppliers. Since its inception in 2014, Connections has hosted more than 60 global events.

In March 2025, Connections Luxury, the community for professionals in high-end travel, celebrated the success of its flagship Middle East event, held for the first time in Doha, Qatar.

For more information, visit www.connectionsluxury.com

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