Riyadh Named Host City for Expo 2030, Aligning with Saudi Vision 2030

In a significant announcement at 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,’ the expo aims to align with Saudi Vision 2030, focusing on transforming the Kingdom, diversifying the economy, and improving the lives of its citizens.

Saudi Arabia, a rapidly growing tourism destination, witnessed a 64% growth in international arrivals in the first quarter of 2023, making it the second-highest globally. Expo 2030 is expected to catapult the tourism sector further, providing a platform to showcase the Kingdom’s wonders, drive job creation, sector investment, and foster trade partnerships.

Fahd Hamidaddin, CEO and Member of the Board of Saudi Tourism, expressed optimism about Expo 2030’s impact on the tourism sector, urging trade partners to seize historic opportunities. He emphasized Saudi’s tourism infrastructure expansion, including the plan to increase hotel rooms from 400,000 to 854,000 by 2030 and the development of King Salman International Airport in Riyadh.

Saudi Arabia’s hosting of events like the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup 2023, the Jeddah Corniche Formula 1 circuit, and recent boxing matches, is positioning the country as a global cultural and sporting events hub. Riyadh, as the capital city, is set to be the backdrop for the prestigious Expo 2030.

Expo 2030 is projected to welcome nearly 40 million site visits and over 1 billion pavilion digital visits, spanning over 6 million square meters with 246 unique event participants. Riyadh’s selection as the host city follows the success of Expo 2020 in Dubai, UAE, and anticipates Saudi’s presence at Expo 2025 in Osaka, Japan.

Since launching the tourism sector in 2019, Saudi has enhanced accessibility with its E-Visa program, available in over 59 countries, facilitating seamless entry for global visitors.