Riyadh, December 16, 2024 – Minister of Tourism Ahmed Al Khateeb highlighted the significant strides Saudi Arabia is making under the transformative initiatives of Saudi Vision 2030, particularly in sectors such as tourism, culture, sports, and entertainment. These sectors, he noted, are poised to revolutionize the exhibitions and conferences industry, positioning the Kingdom as a leading global hub for these events.
Al Khateeb’s remarks came at the opening of the International MICE Summit (IMS24), a prestigious gathering organized by the Saudi Conventions & Exhibitions General Authority (SCEGA) in Riyadh, which ran from December 15 to 17, 2024. The summit brought together over 1,000 industry leaders from 73 countries, marking a significant milestone for Saudi Arabia’s ambitions in this field. During his address, Al Khateeb emphasized the Kingdom's ongoing investment in infrastructure and innovation, which includes projects aimed at enhancing its exhibition and conference capabilities. He underscored that strategic investments in new airports, luxury hotels, resorts, and state-of-the-art facilities are central to the Kingdom's drive to become a global center for international events.
The Minister also pointed out that the exhibition and conference sectors are integral to the broader goals of Vision 2030, which seeks to diversify the Saudi economy by boosting tourism and facilitating public-private partnerships. He expressed confidence that these efforts would play a crucial role in the country's development and contribute to its growing influence on the global stage. As part of its ambitious tourism goals, Saudi Arabia aims to attract 150 million tourists by 2030, further solidifying its position as a premier global destination.
In conclusion, Al Khateeb reaffirmed the importance of the MICE sector (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) in shaping the Kingdom’s future. He highlighted the impact of leading events in driving innovation and expanding the Kingdom's role in the global exhibitions and conferences arena. With these transformative initiatives in place, Saudi Arabia is on track to become a dominant player in the international event industry, attracting visitors and professionals from around the world.