The Saudi tourism sector has a new success story with the recognition of Nsr, a tour-tech platform led by young entrepreneur Mohammed Al-Khuraif, as one of the top five startups in the second edition of the Tourism Growth Accelerator. The program, run by Saudi Arabia’s Tourism Development Fund, saw Nsr distinguish itself from a competitive field of over 500 projects.
From Zero Capital to National Recognition
Nsr’s journey began with a simple idea and no initial capital. Founder Mohammed Al-Khuraif utilized Riyadh’s public bus system for transportation and spent countless hours at the innovation center of Imam Muhammad bin Saud Islamic University to build his initial team of interns. This bootstrapped approach, driven by persistence rather than resources, transformed a dream into an innovative venture.
Accelerating Growth
Within a single year, Nsr rapidly climbed the ladder of success with support from the Tourism Development Fund’s programs. The startup first qualified among the top 60 companies, then advanced to the top ten during intensive training bootcamps. This journey culminated in its selection for the official accelerator program, where Nsr introduced the first prototype of a smart tour guide in the Kingdom. The three-month accelerator program hosted 17 companies from five different nationalities, with Nsr emerging as a top performer.
Showcasing a Smart Tourism Vision
The startup’s progress was put to the test during a live demonstration in Riyadh called the “Nsr Smart Journey.” The immersive experience, which took industry experts and investors on a tour from the historic Diriyah to the King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD), showcased a seamless blend of heritage and technology. The event culminated in a live presentation of the Kingdom’s first “smart tour guide,” demonstrating how technology can enhance, rather than replace, the human element in tourism.
From Participant to Mentor
In a testament to his rapid growth and the program’s impact, Al-Khuraif returned to the Tourism Development Fund’s ecosystem just one year after his journey began—this time as a consultant and speaker for the next cohort of entrepreneurs. He shared his story to emphasize that success is built on a strong idea, determination, and a supportive community, not just initial funding.
About Nsr
Nsr is a technology platform that supports the Saudi tourism ecosystem by connecting travelers with local experiences. The platform currently empowers over 720 licensed Saudi tour guides and provides integrated solutions for marketing and enhancing the visitor experience through collaborations with more than 100 partners.
Source: Sabq
