The fifth Kingdom Business & Luxury Travel (KBLT) Congress opened at the Mövenpick Hotel and Residences in Riyadh on 6 September, bringing together more than 100 vetted Saudi buyers and leading global travel brands as the Kingdom’s outbound market experiences rapid expansion.
Spending soars, expectations grow
Organisers say Saudi outbound tourism spending is projected to exceed US$30.7 billion (SAR115 billion) in 2026, on an estimated 12.3 million international trips. The country’s luxury travel segment, estimated at about US$13.5 billion this year, is forecast to grow to over US$25 billion by 2033.
Those figures signal not only larger wallets but also a shift in what high‑value travellers want. KBLT’s Advisory Board argues that Saudi visitors are moving beyond traditional five‑star offerings and seeking experiences that are personalised, private and culturally authentic.
“The most significant shift is the transition from conventional luxury to curated, purpose‑driven, and highly personalised experiences,” said Sulaiman Al‑Romi, chairman of the KBLT Congress Advisory Board and chief executive of Gulf Reps Ltd.
Al‑Romi described Saudi luxury travellers as well travelled and digitally savvy, placing premium value on authenticity, wellness, privacy and bespoke services rather than standardised amenities.
What the market means for suppliers
Waleed Bin Huzaim, a strategic communications and international protocol consultant to government in Saudi Arabia, told organisers that the Kingdom’s tourism sector has matured quickly and is now delivering on long‑term ambitions. The international travel industry is watching closely for signs of how hospitality operators, tour designers and destination marketers will respond.
For travel suppliers this presents both opportunity and challenge. Brands that can anticipate the nuanced preferences of Saudi luxury travellers — such as culture‑led itineraries, privacy‑first accommodations and integrated wellness offerings — are likely to capture higher‑value business.
- Scale: Saudi outbound trips are estimated at 12.3 million in 2026.
- Spending: Total outbound spend projected at US$30.7 billion (SAR115 billion) in 2026.
- Luxury growth: High‑end segment valued at US$13.5 billion now and expected to exceed US$25 billion by 2033.
Implications for destinations including South Africa
Although the data and event are Saudi‑centred, the trends have global reach. Destinations that offer curated cultural experiences, meaningful engagement with local communities, enhanced privacy and top‑tier wellness services could find themselves favoured by Saudi luxury travellers. For South African tourism businesses — from boutique lodges to city‑based cultural operators — there is an opening to adapt product offerings and marketing to meet these evolving needs.
Practical adjustments might include more tailored communications in Arabic, flexible booking and privacy guarantees, specialised concierge services, and experiences that showcase authentic local culture and nature in a way that respects travellers’ preferences for exclusivity.
Congress as a marketplace and bellwether
Now in its fifth year, KBLT has grown from a regional gathering into a congress with global participation, according to its advisory board. The event acts both as a sourcing marketplace for luxury and business travel products and as a testing ground for new tourism concepts aimed at high‑spend customers.
As the Kingdom’s outbound market grows in size and sophistication, the travel industry worldwide will be monitoring how demand reshapes product design, distribution channels and partnerships. For South African operators looking to attract international visitors, the shift offers a clear signal: personalisation, authenticity and privacy are increasingly central to the luxury travel brief.
| Metric | Figure |
|---|---|
| Projected outbound spend (2026) | US$30.7 billion (SAR115 billion) |
| Estimated outbound trips (2026) | 12.3 million |
| Luxury segment value (current) | US$13.5 billion |
| Luxury segment forecast (2033) | Above US$25 billion |
While the KBLT Congress underscores a uniquely Saudi market, its signals have ripple effects. Travel businesses that move quickly to deliver culturally fluent, highly personalised experiences may be best placed to benefit from this expanding pool of affluent travellers.
