Tourism & Hospitality Trends Ahead of Expo/Roadmap Events: What Saudi is Doing Differently

September 23, 2025 Rankifly SEO Agency

Saudi Arabia has been undergoing a remarkable transformation under Vision 2030, and no sector reflects this better than tourism and hospitality. With mega projects, cultural openness, and preparations for international events such as Expo and other global roadmap initiatives, the Kingdom is positioning itself as a premier travel destination.

But beyond infrastructure and attractions, what truly sets Saudi apart is its unique blend of technology, cultural authenticity, and innovation. As we move closer to these global events, Saudi Arabia is doing things differently—embracing digital solutions, investing in travel technology, and redefining hospitality standards to compete with global tourism hubs.

In this blog, we’ll explore the key tourism and hospitality trends in Saudi Arabia, the role of technology, and why businesses should partner with a travel app development company or a mobile app development company in Saudi Arabia to succeed in this growing market.

🌍 Saudi Arabia’s Tourism Ambitions under Vision 2030

Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 strategy aims to increase tourism’s contribution to GDP from 3% to 10%. The Kingdom is targeting 100 million visitors annually by 2030, transforming it into one of the world’s most visited destinations.

Key initiatives include:

NEOM and The Line: Futuristic smart cities blending innovation and sustainability.
Red Sea Project: A luxury coastal tourism hub with eco-friendly resorts.
Diriyah Gate & Al-Ula: Heritage and cultural sites positioned as global attractions.
Mega Events: Hosting major global expos, sporting events, and conferences to put Saudi Arabia on the international tourism map.

This ambitious vision requires not just infrastructure but also seamless travel technology solutions that cater to modern travelers’ expectations.

📊 Trends Shaping Saudi Tourism and Hospitality

1. Digital-First Travel Experiences

Today’s travelers demand convenience. Saudi Arabia is adopting smart tourism apps for bookings, payments, translations, and personalized itineraries.

Example: AI-driven apps that recommend attractions based on preferences.
Opportunity: Partnering with a travel app development company can help hotels, airlines, and tour operators deliver seamless, integrated services.

2. Mobile-Centric Hospitality Services

With smartphone penetration at nearly 97%, mobile apps are at the heart of Saudi’s hospitality ecosystem. Guests expect:

Mobile check-ins and keyless room access.
AI-powered concierge services.
Personalized loyalty programs through apps.

Here, a mobile app development company in Saudi Arabia can help hotels, resorts, and tour operators deliver world-class guest experiences.

3. Cultural & Heritage Tourism

Unlike other Gulf destinations, Saudi Arabia is focusing heavily on authentic cultural experiences:

Restoring ancient sites like Diriyah and Mada’in Saleh.
Promoting local food, art, and traditions through immersive digital guides.
Blending AR/VR into tourism apps to showcase history interactively.

This approach creates differentiation, appealing to tourists looking for unique experiences.

4. Sustainability and Eco-Tourism

Saudi Arabia is making sustainability a cornerstone of its hospitality sector.

Renewable energy resorts (The Red Sea Project runs entirely on renewable energy).
Smart waste management and eco-friendly construction.
Promotion of eco-tourism apps for tracking carbon footprints and encouraging sustainable travel.

5. Event-Driven Tourism

With the upcoming Expo and roadmap events, Saudi Arabia is capitalizing on event tourism:

International sports like Formula E, golf, and football tournaments.
Music and cultural festivals (MDLBEAST, Riyadh Season).
Trade expos attracting global visitors.

For these events, mobile apps offering ticketing, accommodation booking, and transportation integration are becoming essential.

6. Smart Cities and Hospitality Tech

Projects like NEOM and The Line are redefining smart city living and tourism:

AI-enabled hotels.
IoT-driven hospitality (smart rooms that auto-adjust temperature/lighting).
Augmented reality tours inside city attractions.

These innovations require cutting-edge hospitality and travel app development solutions.

7. Seamless Payments & Fintech in Tourism

Saudi Arabia is rapidly moving towards a cashless economy. Super apps and mobile wallets (like STC Pay) are integrated into the travel ecosystem:

QR-based restaurant payments.
In-app currency exchange and bill settlements.
Cross-border payment solutions for tourists.

A mobile app development company plays a key role in ensuring payment security and compliance with regulations.

8. Personalization with AI & Big Data

Saudi tourism is leaning into AI-driven personalization:

Apps recommending personalized travel packages.
Hotels offering customized guest experiences based on booking history.
Predictive analytics to optimize travel itineraries.

This allows travel brands to stand out in a competitive global market.

💼 Why Travel Businesses Must Go Digital in Saudi Arabia

The opportunities in Saudi Arabia’s tourism sector are massive, but businesses that fail to adopt digital solutions risk being left behind.

Partnering with a travel app development company or a mobile app development company in Saudi Arabia offers:

Seamless Customer Engagement: Connect with travelers at every stage of their journey.
Operational Efficiency: Automate bookings, payments, and guest management.
Brand Differentiation: Offer smart features like AR tours, AI chatbots, and multilingual support.
Global Reach: Appeal to both domestic and international travelers.

⚙️ Role of App Development in Tourism & Hospitality

Here are some solutions that leading app development companies provide to Saudi’s tourism sector:

Travel Booking Apps – Flights, hotels, and packages.
Hospitality Management Apps – Digital check-in, smart concierge, loyalty programs.
Event Apps – Ticket booking, live updates, in-app maps.
Tourism Guides – AR/VR-based cultural guides and interactive maps.
Food & Delivery Apps – Integrating local cuisine experiences with delivery options.

These apps require expertise in scalable architecture, AI integration, and regulatory compliance—skills that a trusted mobile app development company in Saudi Arabia can provide.

🚀 Challenges and How Saudi Arabia Is Overcoming Them

Regulatory Compliance: Strict tourism and fintech laws → Businesses need compliance-ready apps.
Cultural Sensitivity: Apps must reflect local traditions and languages.
Competition: Regional and international players entering the market → Innovation is key.
Infrastructure Readiness: Mega-projects are still under construction, requiring adaptive digital strategies.

🌟 The Future of Saudi Tourism & Hospitality

As Saudi Arabia prepares for Expo and other global roadmap events, we can expect:

Super Apps for Travel: All-in-one platforms combining booking, payments, and guides.
Metaverse Tourism: Virtual tours of Saudi landmarks before physical visits.
Blockchain-Enabled Travel: Secure identity management and ticketing.
Smart Airport Experiences: Biometrics-driven check-ins and real-time flight tracking apps.

The Kingdom is positioning itself not just as a travel destination, but as a global innovation hub in tourism and hospitality.

✅ Final Thoughts

Saudi Arabia’s approach to tourism and hospitality is unique—it blends cultural authenticity, mega-projects, and cutting-edge technology. With Expo and roadmap events on the horizon, the Kingdom is proving that it’s not just following global trends—it’s setting them.

For businesses in travel and hospitality, this is the right time to invest in digital transformation. Partnering with a reliable travel app development company or a mobile app development company in Saudi Arabia can unlock new opportunities, improve customer experiences, and position brands at the forefront of this exciting growth story.

Saudi Arabia isn’t just opening its doors to the world—it’s creating a smarter, more connected future for global tourism.