Saudi Arabia’s Events Infrastructure Surges 32%, Fueling Tourism Goals

RIYADH: The Saudi Conventions and Exhibitions General Authority announced record growth in the Kingdom’s business events infrastructure, reporting a 32 percent year-on-year increase in capacity across 923 accredited venues. 

According to a statement, this expansion reflects significant investment aligned with Vision 2030’s tourism and event sector priorities, driving a 320 percent increase in exhibition space since 2018 to a total of 300,520 sq. meters.

Chairman of SCEGA, Fahd Al-Rasheed, said: “Saudi Arabia is creating unprecedented growth and opportunities for the business events sector, as Vision 2030 delivers a golden decade of events including Expo 2030 and the FIFA World Cup 2034.”

These figures were released in SCEGA’s latest event infrastructure snapshot, which highlights capacity growth across the Kingdom’s provinces as new tourism destinations open to the world. 

Riyadh, Makkah, and the Eastern Province collectively account for 90 percent of the capacity, led by major venues such as the Riyadh Exhibition and Conference Center in Malham, the Jeddah Superdome, and the Dhahran Expo Center.

Other provinces establishing their presence include Madinah with the King Salman International Conference Center, AlUla with Maraya Hall, Asir with the King Khalid University Conference Center, and Najran with the Prince Mishaal Exhibition Center.

Saudi Arabia’s burgeoning business event sector opportunities will be showcased to more than 2,000 global event leaders at the International Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions Summit, taking place between Nov. 26 to 27 in Riyadh.

This second edition of the event is set to provide attendees with unparalleled access to the world’s fastest-growing business events sector.

Al-Rasheed added: “The International MICE Summit will bring together decision-makers from across Saudi Arabia’s provinces including newly established destination management organizations, to collaborate with global event leaders and support Saudi tourism’s 2030 target of welcoming 150 million visitors.”

Saudi Arabia achieved its initial 2030 tourism target of 100 million visitors seven years ahead of schedule, leading to a revised upward target of 150 million.

The Kingdom welcomed 60.9 million visitors, both local and international, in the first half of 2025 alone, with total tourism spending crossing SR161.4 billion ($43 billion). The two-day IMS25 program will feature ministers, private sector CEOs, and commercial announcements.