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Saudi Arabia has won a bid to host World Expo 2030 in Riyadh, with US$7.8bn set to be invested into building a site that focuses on ‘shaping a prosperous and sustainable future’
Tom Anstey | Planet Attractions | 29 Nov 2023
The World Expo 2030 site will be developed at a cost of US$7.8bn Credit: Royal Commission for Riyadh City
World Expo 2030 is coming to Riyadh, after Saudi Arabia beat bids from South Korea and Italy to host the major event.
Scheduled to take place from October 2030 until March 2031, the World Expo is seen as a major part of Saudi Arabia’s plan to diversify the kingdom’s economy and boost its international stature, with some US$7.8bn (€7.1bn, £6.1bn) set to be invested into the site’s development.
With a bid focussed on “shaping a prosperous and sustainable future”, Riyadh was selected with a majority vote of 119 out of 165, beating Busan and Rome to host the event, which is expected to draw people from across the globe in their tens of millions.
“The kingdom has ambitious plans for an exceptional and unprecedented edition of the expo, characterised by high levels of innovation,” said a statement, released on the state-run Saudi Press Agency.
“Through the expo, the kingdom aims to contribute actively to a brighter future for humanity by providing a global platform that harnesses the latest technologies and brings together the brightest minds.
“The kingdom also seeks through the expo to optimise opportunities and propose solutions to the challenges facing our planet today.”
According to expo organisers, the exhibition will be “from the world to the world”, with equality established by allocating a pavilion for each country.
Plans surrounding the expo include a major public transit network and a futuristic, round space with public parks, e-gaming, large scale performance spaces and sport venues. The project will also focus on preserving natural ecosystems with “accelerating innovations”.
The investment is part of the country’s wider 2030 Vision plan to develop tourist and entertainment destinations across Saudi Arabia, making the kingdom more appealing to international visitors as it attempts to reduce its economy’s reliance on oil while raising the quality of life for citizens and residents.
With developments worth more than US$1tn (€921.7bn, £787.7bn) already underway, there are plans to invest a further US$800bn (€737.3bn, £630.4bn) in tourism projects over the next decade.
Tourism in the kingdom last year counted for 4.5% of the country’s annual GDP - an increase of 1.5% from 2019. By the end of the decade, Saudi wants to bring tourism contributions to its GDP up to 10%. Saudi has set a target to hit 100 million visitors annually by 2030. In 2022 the country welcomed 77 million domestic travellers and 16.5 million international travellers – 93.5 million in total. As a result, the country’s tourism authority is planning to extend that figure beyond its original target.
“The Kingdom’s selection as the host of the World Expo 2030 underlines its influential and leading role, and the international confidence it enjoys,” said Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia.
“Saudi Arabia has become an ideal destination for hosting major international events, including the esteemed World Expo.”
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