Culture Minister meets Algerian president; visits Saudi pavilion at Algiers Book Fair

Tourism Minister Ahmed Al-Khateeb opened the Saudi Land pavilion at the World Travel Market 2026 (WTM) in London, highlighting Saudi Arabia's tourism sector and international partnerships. The pavilion, chaired by Tourism Authority CEO Aqil Al-Shaibani, featured collaborations with 37 Saudi tourism industry partners. Over three days, stakeholders met with representatives from tour operators, airlines, and travel service providers to showcase Saudi Arabia's evolving tourism offerings across destinations like Riyadh, Jeddah, AlUla, the Red Sea, and AMAALA.

Al-Khateeb emphasized the kingdom's resilience and strong global standing, noting a 1% increase in tourists to 61.2 million in the first half of 2026, with Saudi tourism spending reaching SAR 151.9 billion. He set a goal of attracting 150 million tourists annually by 2030. Al-Shaibani stressed the importance of global travel sector partners in driving Saudi tourism growth, showcasing luxury resorts, desert camps, Riyadh Season, Winter at Tantora in AlUla, Six Flags, Aquarabia in Qiddiya, and other attractions at WTM London.

The pavilion also celebrated AMAALA, a new luxury coastal destination with seven resorts opening in June, including Four Seasons, Six Senses, Rosewood, and Nammos. Throughout the event, the Saudi Land pavilion offered cultural experiences such as traditional dances and Arabic calligraphy, highlighting the kingdom's rich heritage until its closing on November 5.