Saudi Crown Prince Patronizes Second TOURISE Forum in Riyadh, March 2027

Under the patronage of His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, Saudi Minister of Tourism and Chairman of the TOURISE Forum Board Ahmed Al-Khateeb announced the launch of the second edition of the TOURISE Forum, set to take place in Riyadh from March 23 to 25, 2027. The announcement, made on Wednesday, confirmed that the global gathering will convene under the theme “Alliances That Move the World,” bringing together leaders from tourism, technology, investment, sustainability, culture, and transport to shape the next phase of global tourism.

Context and Background

The TOURISE Forum was established as a platform to foster cross-sector collaboration and drive investment in the global tourism economy. Its inaugural edition, held last year, demonstrated the power of such collaboration by catalyzing investments worth $113 billion across destinations, hotels, retail, talent development, and AI-powered platforms. That success underscored how strategic partnerships can translate ambition into tangible action.

Saudi Arabia’s own tourism journey provides a compelling backdrop for the forum. The Kingdom surpassed its initial target of welcoming 100 million visitors annually in 2023, seven years ahead of schedule, and has since raised its ambition to 150 million visitors annually by 2030. This achievement reflects the Kingdom’s rapid transformation into a global tourism destination and its commitment to economic diversification under Vision 2030.

Key Details

The second edition of the TOURISE Forum will be held in Riyadh from March 23 to 25, 2027, under the theme “Alliances That Move the World.” The theme emphasizes the importance of forging alliances that transcend sectors, borders, and business fields, connecting tourism with capital, technology, and infrastructure to unlock investment opportunities, accelerate innovation, and facilitate the traveler experience.

Minister Al-Khateeb highlighted the collaborative spirit of the forum, stating: “No single destination, company or organization will shape the future of tourism. Rather, it will be determined by the strength of the alliances we build together. Saudi Arabia has witnessed first-hand what can be achieved when ambitions, investments and strategic partnerships come together.” He added, “Through the second edition of the TOURISE Forum, we are inviting the world to Riyadh to build the alliances that will shape the next 50 years of the tourism sector.”

The Ministry of Tourism also announced the first group of speakers for the 2027 edition, comprising leading figures from the tourism, hospitality, technology, and destination development sectors. These speakers will showcase their organizations’ contributions to facilitating travel, tourism, and mobility, as well as the most promising areas for investment in the global tourism sector. Those interested in attending can apply for an invitation and find the latest updates on speakers, partnership opportunities, and forum announcements on the TOURISE website: www.TOURISE.com.

Implications and Impact

The TOURISE Forum’s second edition is poised to further solidify Saudi Arabia’s role as a global hub for tourism innovation and investment. By convening stakeholders from diverse sectors, the forum aims to address key challenges and opportunities facing the tourism industry, from sustainable development to digital transformation. The $113 billion in investments catalyzed by the first edition signal the immense potential for public-private partnerships to drive economic growth and job creation.

For the international community, the forum offers a unique opportunity to engage with Saudi Arabia’s dynamic tourism ecosystem and to contribute to shaping a more resilient, inclusive, and sustainable global tourism economy. The focus on alliances reflects a recognition that no single entity can address the complex challenges of the sector alone; instead, collaborative efforts are essential to unlock new markets and enhance the traveler experience.

Vision 2030 Alignment

The TOURISE Forum aligns closely with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, which seeks to diversify the economy, reduce dependence on oil, and position the Kingdom as a global leader in various sectors, including tourism. By hosting and championing such initiatives, Saudi Arabia demonstrates its commitment to fostering international cooperation and driving sustainable development. The forum’s outcomes will contribute to the Kingdom’s goal of attracting 150 million visitors annually by 2030 and further establish Saudi Arabia as a catalyst for global tourism growth.

20 Questions

Q1. What is the TOURISE Forum?

A1. The TOURISE Forum is a global gathering that brings together leaders from tourism, technology, investment, sustainability, culture, and transport to discuss opportunities and challenges and shape the future of global tourism.

Q2. When and where will the second edition of the TOURISE Forum take place?

A2. The second edition will be held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from March 23 to 25, 2027.

Q3. Who announced the launch of the second edition?

A3. The announcement was made by Ahmed Al-Khateeb, Saudi Minister of Tourism and Chairman of the TOURISE Forum Board.

Q4. Under whose patronage is the forum held?

A4. The forum is held under the patronage of His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister.

Q5. What is the theme of the second edition?

A5. The theme is “Alliances That Move the World,” emphasizing cross-sector collaboration to unlock investment and innovation.

Q6. How much investment did the first edition catalyze?

A6. The inaugural edition succeeded in catalyzing investments worth $113 billion across various sectors.

Q7. What sectors are involved in the forum?

A7. The forum involves tourism, technology, investment, sustainability, culture, and transport sectors.

Q8. How did Saudi Arabia perform in tourism recently?

A8. Saudi Arabia surpassed its initial target of 100 million visitors annually in 2023, seven years ahead of schedule, and now aims for 150 million by 2030.

Q9. What did Minister Al-Khateeb say about the future of tourism?

A9. He stated that no single entity will shape the future; it will be determined by the strength of alliances built together.

Q10. What can attendees expect at the forum?

A10. Attendees can expect discussions on key opportunities and challenges, and insights from leading figures in tourism, hospitality, technology, and destination development.

Q11. How can one attend the TOURISE Forum?

A11. Interested individuals can apply for an invitation and join the global community via the TOURISE website.

Q12. What is the significance of the theme “Alliances That Move the World”?

A12. It underscores the importance of alliances that transcend sectors and borders to connect tourism with capital, technology, and infrastructure.

Q13. What were some investment areas from the first edition?

A13. Investments spanned destinations, hotels, retail, talent development, and AI-powered platforms.

Q14. Who are some of the speakers announced for 2027?

A14. The first group includes leading figures from tourism, hospitality, technology, and destination development sectors.

Q15. How does the forum support Saudi Vision 2030?

A15. It supports economic diversification, boosts tourism’s contribution to GDP, and helps position Saudi Arabia as a global tourism leader.

Q16. What is the expected impact on the global tourism economy?

A16. The forum aims to foster a more growing, sustainable, and inclusive global tourism economy through collaboration and investment.

Q17. Where can one find updates on the forum?

A17. Updates on speakers, partnerships, and announcements are available on the TOURISE website: www.TOURISE.com.

Q18. What does the forum aim to achieve in the long term?

A18. It aims to shape the next 50 years of the tourism sector by building alliances that drive investment and innovation.

Q19. How does Saudi Arabia benefit from hosting the forum?

A19. It reinforces Saudi Arabia’s role as a global hub for tourism, attracts investment, and showcases its progress under Vision 2030.

Q20. What is the overarching goal of the TOURISE Forum?

A20. The overarching goal is to unite global stakeholders to unlock investment opportunities, accelerate innovation, and facilitate the traveler experience for a sustainable future.

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