QnA International, a leading global B2B event organizer, has announced the successful conclusion of the 4th Annual Kingdom Business and Luxury Travel (KBLT) Congress. It has established a new crossroad within the sphere of business and luxury travel in the region.
The invitation-only event, which was hosted recently at the Mövenpick Hotel & Residences Riyadh, on September 15 and 16, brought together travel suppliers, premium destinations, and Saudi Arabia’s most influential buyers in the MICE, corporate, and luxury travel space.
The two-day event included mind-blowing debates, an exhibition of innovations, and hand-picked one-on-one meetings that were meant to open new growth opportunities.
One of the most important speakers of the congress was Her Highness Princess Norah Abdulmohsen Al Saud, and since she was a Protocol and VIP Relations Expert, she referred to the KBLT as “an insightful platform that brought together people from different backgrounds with a common vision. She praised the quality of the attendees and companies for their professionalism and focus on personalised experiences. She added that such events encourage collaboration and sustainable growth and said she looks forward to seeing the outcomes in the future.”
International keynote speaker Bart Berkey, Founder and Director of Most People Don’t LLC from the USA, led the opening of the event with an inspirational opening session that the delegates repeatedly stated as, “The attention to detail has been phenomenal — among the very best I’ve seen in 35 years of events. The people here truly care and want to exceed expectations.”
In addition to the context, Maya Anurova from the Moscow City Tourism Committee adds, “The event offered an excellent mix of B2B sessions paired with a well-curated business agenda, striking the right balance between networking and learning.”
“The event was highly informative and provided valuable insights. It also offered excellent opportunities to connect with others and explore new business possibilities,” said Syed Adnan Ali, Director Airline & Charter Flights Commercials, Fursan Travel and Tourism. He also stated that such momentum was spread across, and this supported the brand name of KBLT as the most exclusive B2B site in the Kingdom.
The annual event of this year was full of content and participation; the agenda was reinforced by strategic panels on the changing tastes of the travelers and luxury personalization, as well as destination discussions that featured the premium offerings to Saudi buyers.
The emphasis on innovation was made with sessions that featured AI, sustainability, and curated experiences. In the meantime, the B2B matchmaking program produced hundreds of high-quality business meetings, which were valued by participants in terms of quality and results.
Accor Luxury & Lifestyle’s Director of Sales, Youssef Sakr, remarked, “The sessions were engaging and interactive, creating a valuable environment for discussions and connections.”
Global sponsors reiterated the significance of the role of the Congress in developing the future of Saudi outbound travel.
Mahmoud Basyouny, Celebrity Cruises, adds, “Saudi Arabia is one of the most exciting and rapidly growing outbound travel markets in the world. For Celebrity Cruises, it’s a key focus because of the rising demand among Saudi travelers for luxury, distinctive, and immersive experiences.”
Sponsors included Azerbaijan, Hong Kong, Abu Dhabi, Georgia, and YES (Your Event Solution), further strengthening the expanding international influence of the Saudi market with promises of more significant investment and collaboration.
Daniel Ponzo, Managing Director of Zahid Travel Group, said, “Being part of the panel for the fourth time in Saudi Arabia has been truly amazing. The quality improves year on year with new suppliers, and there are many exciting collaborations already in the pipeline. The Saudi market is showing strong interest in wellness travel, opening global opportunities.”
“KBLT has been an exceptional experience. Compared to last year, it’s improved significantly, offering valuable networking and insightful sessions. I see potential business with several companies offering new destinations and options for our clients,” states Fikry Altowayan, CEO of Mahara Travel and Tourism.
In addition to the formal meetings, the spirit of the Congress contributed to authentic relationships and long-term impressions.
Considering the vision of the event, Director of QnA International, Sidh NC adds, “The KBLT Congress was designed to be the Kingdom’s definitive meeting point where the aspirations of Saudi buyers intersect with the world’s leading suppliers. We are pleased with the overwhelming response for this year, and our aim was to create a high-level environment where meaningful business connections flourish, innovative ideas are exchanged, and the future of luxury and business travel is shaped in alignment with Vision 2030.”
When the 4th Annual KBLT Congress ended, additional business deals were made, partnerships were taken to the next stage, and once more, the stature of the congress as a networking platform, as well as a launch pad to what lies ahead of Saudi Arabia’s outbound business and luxury travel journey, was once again reinforced.
