Connections Saudi unveils programme as Riyadh prepares to welcome global travel leaders
- 250 international buyers meeting 250 Saudi suppliers in Riyadh
- Pre-scheduled meetings and immersive experiences in the pioneering Connections Way
- Occurring alongside the inaugural TOURISE Summit
- Group experience to Qiddiya City to showcase the world-first entertainment and leisure megaproject
- Cultural evening in Diriyah featuring a tour of At-Turaif and dinner
- Private networking dinner hosted by Red Sea Global
Connections Saudi, in partnership with Saudi Tourism Authority (STA), the invitation-only travel trade event, will take place in Riyadh from 10-14 November 2025. The highly anticipated gathering will bring together 250 leading international buyers with 250 Saudi suppliers, creating new opportunities for collaboration across luxury, adventure, culture and hospitality.
Connections Saudi is part of the global Connections event series, bringing together trusted decision-makers from the travel and hospitality industry.
Delegates will take part in pre-scheduled one-to-one meetings and experiences, delivered through the innovative Connections Way – an approach that blends business conversations with shared cultural, culinary and wellness activities, building lasting partnerships.
The event programme also features content sessions designed to engage international travel buyers on selling Saudi to their clientele, including investment and culture. To ensure buyers discover Saudi beyond the event, they will join a specially curated destination tour organized by partners Aseer, Al Baha, AlUla and Six Senses.
As part of the Connections Saudi experience, guests will be invited to a cultural engagement program, hosted in Diriyah on Tuesday 11 November. The evening will begin with a guided tour of At-Turaif Historical District, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that stands as the birthplace of the Saudi nation and a symbol of its enduring cultural legacy.
Following the tour, guests will gather for a dinner at Villa Mamas, located on the elegant Al-Bujairi Terrace, overlooking the illuminated the World Heritage Site. Blending heritage and modernity, the evening will celebrate Saudi’s rich traditions, warm hospitality and its vision for a vibrant, connected future in tourism.
A highlight of the programme will be the curated group trip to Qiddiya City on Wednesday 12 November. Delegates will be welcomed with a guided tour of Six Flags Qiddiya City and a series of EduTour sessions exploring world-record-breaking rides, retail and F&B offerings, VIP experiences, and MICE and VVIP events.
The evening will conclude with a mocktail reception at The Citadel, followed by the Citadel Night Show & Drone Show – providing an unforgettable finale to the day’s activities.
This year, Connections Saudi will take place alongside TOURISE, the world’s premier platform for shaping the future of global tourism. Connections delegates will join the TOURISE programme on Thursday 13 November.
While TOURISE showcases a global tourism vision, Connections Saudi focuses on the intimacy and trust-building that unlocks local transformative partnerships.
Together, the two platforms strengthen Saudi’s role as one of the most dynamic and future-focused tourism destinations in the world. The Connections event will conclude with a private dinner, hosted by Red Sea Global at the Intercontinental Riyadh.
Connections Saudi is partnering with leading organizations and destinations, including Saudia Airlines, IHG Hotels & Resorts, Diriyah, Qiddiya City, Red Sea Global, Aseer, AlUla, Al Baha, Makkah, Madinah, Al Ahsa, Hail and Six Senses Southern Dunes.
Greg Reeves, Managing Director of Connections, said: “Saudi is one of the most ambitious and fast-evolving destinations in the world right now. Connections Saudi will showcase this incredible momentum by uniting global travel leaders with the Kingdom’s pioneering suppliers, through our unique methodology that fosters genuine, lasting business relationships.
By experiencing Saudi hospitality and giga projects first-hand, delegates will build partnerships while also gaining a true understanding of the scale and opportunity that lies ahead for tourism in the Kingdom.”
Abdullah Aldakhil, Spokesperson of Saudi Tourism Authority, said “We look forward to another successful edition of Connections Saudi at this pivotal moment for tourism, as Saudi leads the industry into a bold new era.
With Connections Saudi taking place alongside the inaugural TOURISE summit, the industry’s brightest minds and boldest innovators will unite in Riyadh to shape the future of tourism for decades to come. The synergy between Connections Saudi and TOURISE reflects our commitment to building a tourism sector that is sustainable, equitable, and future-focused, one that sets new standards for partnerships and progress.”
