The Tourism Development Fund (TDF), Saudi Arabia’s national enabler for the tourism sector, has concluded its “Tourism Growth Hackathons and Bootcamps” program, celebrating five winning projects poised to innovate the Kingdom’s travel landscape. The closing ceremony was organized by the Tourism Growth Center, the Fund’s non-financial enabling arm, and attended by entrepreneurs, investors, and government representatives.
The program was designed to foster sustainable tourism by empowering startups and entrepreneurs with innovative solutions to real-world challenges. It aims to transform promising ideas into scalable businesses, enhancing the service offerings and readiness of tourist destinations across Saudi Arabia.
From 300 Participants To Five Winners
The nationwide initiative attracted nearly 300 participants from the regions of Asir, Al-Ahsa, and Madinah, who submitted a total of 64 tourism projects. These ventures spanned key industry verticals including accommodation, tourist activities, and supporting services.
Following a series of development and empowerment stages, 38 projects advanced to an intensive training bootcamp. This culminated in a final selection of 10 projects that pitched to a judging committee during the closing ceremony. Five standout projects were selected as winners, receiving financial prizes and the opportunity to connect with partners of the “Tourism Empowerment Programs” for potential funding.
Driving Sustainable Tourism Through Innovation
Qusai Al-Fakhri, CEO of the Tourism Development Fund, emphasized the program’s role in positioning the Fund as a national engine for innovation within the tourism sector. He stated that investing in the capabilities of young men and women helps transform local challenges into innovative tourism companies with a sustainable economic and developmental impact.
Al-Fakhri added that the TDF continues to build an integrated ecosystem that supports the growth of promising tourism projects. This contributes to enhancing the quality of tourist experiences, developing local communities, and strengthening the sector’s competitiveness, all in line with the objectives of the National Tourism Strategy and Saudi Vision 2030.
The Tourism Growth Center’s Impact
The Tourism Growth Center is instrumental in executing TDF’s vision by empowering entrepreneurs and startups through specialized programs. These include hackathons, bootcamps, accelerators, and incubators, complemented by mentorship, consulting, and partnership-building with public and private sector entities.
To date, the Center’s programs have benefited over 10,000 entrepreneurs. It has successfully graduated more than 240 startups that are now actively operating in the market, offering innovative experiences to both local and international visitors. These efforts have also helped attract nearly SAR 70 million in investments, highlighting the Center’s growing role in strengthening the Kingdom’s innovation ecosystem.
About The Tourism Development Fund
The Tourism Development Fund (TDF) was established in 2020 with a capital of SAR 15 billion to drive the growth of Saudi Arabia’s tourism sector. TDF enables private sector investment and development by providing financing solutions for investors and support for entrepreneurs and startups. The Fund works to unlock opportunities across the tourism value chain, aligning its efforts with the National Tourism Strategy and the goals of Saudi Vision 2030.
Source: Alestad
