Saudi Arabia to host second TOURISE 2027 forum in Riyadh under crown prince's patronage

Under the patronage of Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman, Minister of Tourism and Chairman of the TOURISE Forum Ahmed Al-Khateeb announced today the launch of the second edition of the "TOURISE 2027" forum, themed "Alliances Moving the World," to be held in Riyadh from March 23 to 25, 2027 (15-17 Shawwal 1448H).

The forum will bring together leading figures from the tourism, technology, investment, sustainability, culture, and transport sectors worldwide to discuss key opportunities and challenges facing these industries, and to help shape the future of global tourism.

The event comes as Saudi Arabia, the host nation, sets a leading example of what can be achieved in tourism as an integrated economic sector. The Kingdom surpassed its initial target of welcoming 100 million visitors annually in 2023—seven years ahead of schedule—and has now raised its ambition to 150 million visitors per year by 2030.

TOURISE has established itself as a premier investment platform. Its inaugural edition last year spurred $113 billion in investments across destinations, hotels, retail, talent development, and AI-powered platforms, demonstrating how cross-sector collaboration can turn ambition into tangible investments and action.

The theme of the second edition, "Alliances Moving the World," highlights the importance of forging partnerships that transcend sectors, borders, and industries, linking tourism with capital, technology, and infrastructure. This approach aims to unlock investment opportunities, accelerate innovation, and enhance the travel experience, supporting a more robust, sustainable, and inclusive global tourism economy.

Minister of Tourism and TOURISE Forum Chairman Ahmed Al-Khateeb said: "No single destination, company, or institution will shape the future of tourism alone; it will be defined by the strength of the alliances we build together. Saudi Arabia has witnessed firsthand what can be achieved when ambitions, investments, and strategic partnerships align."

He added: "With the second edition of TOURISE, we invite the world to Riyadh to forge the alliances that will shape the next fifty years of the tourism sector."

Gloria Guevara, President and CEO of the World Travel & Tourism Council and a member of the TOURISE Forum Board of Trustees, said: "The next phase of tourism will be defined by an unprecedented level of strategic collaboration. The theme 'Alliances Moving the World' captures the potential of partnerships to connect sectors and investments, benefiting destinations, companies, and communities."

She added that the TOURISE Forum provides a platform for leaders to move from dialogue to joint action, developing practical solutions to shape the future of travel and tourism.

The Ministry of Tourism also announced the first group of speakers for the 2027 edition, featuring prominent leaders from tourism, hospitality, technology, and destination development, who will share their organizations' contributions to facilitating travel, tourism, and mobility, as well as highlight top investment opportunities in the global tourism sector.