Saudi travel-tech startup Hido, an app connecting visitors with local cultural and tourism experiences, has announced a new investment round. The round was sponsored by the Kingdom’s Tourism Development Fund (TDF) and saw participation from local and international investors, including Ben Harburg, owner of Al-Kholood Football Club, and Shaddah Creative Studio.
Quick Facts
- Company: Hido, a Saudi app for authentic local tourism.
- Investors: Ben Harburg and Shaddah Creative Studio.
- Sponsor: Saudi Arabia’s Tourism Development Fund (TDF).
- Goal: Expand partnerships and tech development in Saudi Arabia.
Connecting Tourists with Authentic Saudi Culture
Hido’s platform enables Saudi guides, families, and local adventurers to directly offer tourism experiences. This model allows visitors to engage with the Kingdom’s culture through activities like interactive tours, local home hospitality, adventure sports, and social events.
The app offers a range of services, including guided city walks, stays in local homes and farms, and participation in activities like hiking and traditional cooking classes. It also gives users access to cultural gatherings such as Eid celebrations and Samri music sessions. Currently, the platform features over 1,000 guides and hosts, providing more than 45 different tourism services and creating over 350 jobs.
From TDF Backing to Strategic Investment
Hido’s journey began in 2022 with initial funding from the Tourism Development Fund, which helped build the app’s prototype. In 2024, the startup joined the Tourism Growth Accelerator, a program by TDF’s Tourism Growth Center, where it refined its business model over three months.
The company later joined the Tourism Growth Incubator for a 10-month period to further develop the platform, enhance its investment readiness, and build key partnerships. During this phase, Hido integrated with the “Absher” national platform to ensure a secure user environment and incorporated AI to personalize tour suggestions for users.
Sports and Tourism: A New Partnership
Coinciding with the new funding, Hido has become the official tourism partner for Al-Kholood Sports Club. This move highlights the growing link between the sports and tourism sectors in Saudi Arabia, aiming to create more diverse attractions for both domestic and international visitors. The partnership is designed to tap into a new segment of travelers interested in sports-related events and activities.
The new capital will be used to advance Hido’s technology, strengthen its partnerships, and improve the user experience as it scales its operations across the Kingdom.
About Hido
Hido is a Saudi-based application specializing in domestic tourism. It connects visitors with cultural and human-centric experiences offered directly by local citizens, including guides, hobbyists, adventurers, and host families. The platform aims to provide a deeper, more authentic understanding of Saudi culture and daily life.
Source: Zawya
