In a historic announcement during the 173rd General Assembly of the Bureau International des Expositions, Riyadh, the capital city of Saudi Arabia, has been chosen as the host city for Expo 2030. Themed 'The Era of Change: Together for a Foresighted Tomorrow,' Expo 2030 aligns seamlessly with the goals of Saudi's Vision 2030, a transformative blueprint for the Kingdom's economic diversification and citizen welfare.
Saudi Arabia, currently one of the fastest-growing tourist destinations, experienced a remarkable 64% growth in international arrivals in the first quarter of 2023, ranking second globally. Expo 2030 is anticipated to propel this growth further, providing a global platform to showcase the kingdom's unique wonders and foster job creation, sector investment, and trade partnerships.
The announcement is poised to significantly boost the Saudi economy and advance the Vision 2030 objective of making tourism the second-largest component of the country’s GDP. Fahd Hamidaddin, CEO and Member of the Board of Saudi Tourism, highlighted the impact of Expo 2030 on the tourism sector, calling on trade partners to leverage historic opportunities for sustainable growth and development.
Focusing on infrastructure expansion, Hamidaddin emphasized Saudi's commitment to creating a world-class travel hub, with over 400,000 hotel rooms set to expand to 854,000 by 2030. The development of the King Salman International Airport in Riyadh aims to position the city as a global travel and commerce hub.
Riyadh's selection as the host city for Expo 2030 follows the success of Expo 2020 in Dubai, which attracted nearly 24 million visitors. Internal projections anticipate Expo 2030 to welcome close to 40 million site visits and over 1 billion pavilion digital visits. The event, spanning over 6 million square meters, will feature 246 unique participants, contributing to Saudi Arabia's growing reputation as a global cultural and sporting events hub.
As Saudi gears up to host the FIFA Club World Cup and other major events, Expo 2030 stands as a pivotal moment, symbolizing the country's position as a key player in the international stage. The event is expected to leave a lasting impact, attracting millions of visitors to experience the kingdom's rich cultural offerings and innovative vision for the future.
