≡-How Saudi Arabia is Driving Tourism Innovation with AI, IoT, and Immersive Technologies to Achieve Vision 2030 and Become a Global Smart Tourism Leader – Viral of Today

<> Viral of Today <>
Home » Middle East » How Saudi Arabia is Driving Tourism Innovation with AI, IoT, and Immersive Technologies to Achieve Vision 2030 and Become a Global Smart Tourism Leader Published on
September 9, 2025Saudi Arabia is pioneering the use of next-generation technologies, namely AI, IoT, and immersive media, integration of which enhances the market potential of smart tourism. It is a global first. These technologies add value to service customization and efficiency, and sustainability during valued tourism projects like Neom, the Red Sea Project, Diriyah, Qiddiya, and New Murabba. The Crown is seamlessly blending eco-centric cultural preservation in tech integration. This novel strategy is likely to help the goals of Vision 2030, which includes 150 million annual new tourists, managed by a 10% incremental addition to the national GDP. This is a new paradigm in the tourism circuit.Saudi Arabia is evolving its tourism sector in one of the most ambitious ways in the world: seeking to become a global smart tourism leader through Vision 2030. The Kingdom goes beyond traditional hospitality to integrate artificial intelligence, immersive storytelling, biometrics, and the IoT.Saudi Arabia aims to attract 150 million visitors annually by 2030 instead of the current 4.5 million, boosting the sector’s contribution to GDP from 3% to 10%. The Kingdom is not merely diversifying its economy, but transforming the future of global travel. Neom, the Red Sea Project, Diriyah, Qiddiya, and New Murabba stand as pioneering hubs, seamlessly blending smart technologies to create innovative, real-world testing grounds for the future of tourism.Vision 2030 and the Central Role of TourismVision 2030 serves as Saudi Arabia’s strategic plan to reduce its reliance on oil, fostering a diverse economy while promoting sustainability and technological innovation for long-term societal growth. Tourism is central to this vision, designed to become one of the country’s primary economic pillars.Unlike traditional tourism strategies that focus on heritage or infrastructure alone, Saudi Arabia’s approach blends technology-first development with cultural preservation and sustainability. This allows the Kingdom to appeal to next-generation travelers who expect personalized, seamless, and immersive experiences.The government’s focus on smart tourism is also designed to meet rising global expectations for eco-friendly travel, digital engagement, and seamless services powered by automation.Smart Technologies Powering the Future of TravelArtificial Intelligence: Personalization at ScaleAI is at the heart of Saudi Arabia’s tourism transformation. Intelligent systems are being used to:Enable personalized trip planning based on traveler profiles, interests, and budgets.Facilitate real-time itinerary adjustments, responding to environmental factors, visitor flow, and seasonal trends.Provide AI-driven concierge support, offering round-the-clock, multilingual assistance for reservations, directions, and personalized suggestions.Predict and optimize resources, ensuring efficiency in accommodation, transport, and event management.This personalization marks the shift toward cognitive tourism, where systems not only respond to queries but anticipate visitor needs before they arise.Internet of Things: Connected DestinationsIoT integration is enabling destinations to function as intelligent ecosystems. Smart sensors and devices are managing:Energy and water usage in hotels and resorts to achieve sustainability goals.Waste management systems that monitor and automate collection.Climate and lighting controls for energy-efficient guest environments.Crowd management systems that monitor foot traffic and adjust services in real time.For example, in the Red Sea Project, IoT-enabled platforms monitor environmental indicators, ensuring tourism growth remains aligned with ecological preservation.Biometrics: Seamless and Secure ExperiencesBiometrics are eliminating traditional bottlenecks in travel, offering:Frictionless check-ins at airports, hotels, and attractions.Contactless security verification, reducing waiting times while improving safety.Payment systems linked to biometric authentication, simplifying transactions.This not only enhances convenience but also supports health-conscious travelers seeking minimal physical contact in public spaces.Immersive Media: Storytelling and EngagementSaudi Arabia is reimagining heritage and entertainment through immersive media such as augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), and mixed reality (MR).Diriyah integrates AR-powered historical reconstructions, allowing visitors to step into the Kingdom’s rich cultural past.Neom offers AI-driven immersive storytelling that connects futuristic design with interactive visitor journeys.Qiddiya is developing next-gen entertainment attractions where VR and interactive gaming redefine leisure tourism.By embedding immersive media into tourism projects, Saudi Arabia ensures that every visit is educational, experiential, and memorable.Flagship Projects as Global Tourism LaboratoriesNeom: The Future CityNeom is the flagship smart city under Vision 2030, designed as a futuristic hub where AI, robotics, and sustainable design converge. Tourism in Neom emphasizes:Immersive storytelling platforms that guide visitors through digital narratives.Autonomous transport systems that enhance mobility.Smart accommodation solutions where IoT controls everything from climate to entertainment.Neom’s tourism model is less about sightseeing and more about living in the future.The Red Sea Project: Sustainability Meets LuxuryThe Red Sea Project focuses on eco-luxury tourism, built on sustainable design. Key features include:IoT-powered environmental monitoring to protect coral reefs and marine ecosystems.Smart energy grids based on renewables.AI-driven logistics systems for efficient transportation and supply chain management.It serves as a worldwide example of how luxury travel can seamlessly integrate with sustainable practices.Diriyah: Digital Heritage at ScaleAs the birthplace of Saudi Arabia, Diriyah is reintroducing history with digital tools. The project includes:Digital documentation for historical preservation.Interactive displays and AR tours that bring cultural narratives to life.AI-guided storytelling systems tailored to visitor preferences.Diriyah exemplifies how heritage tourism can be revitalized through smart technologies.Qiddiya: Smart Entertainment CapitalQiddiya is being developed as a global entertainment and sports hub, powered by technology. Smart innovations include:VR-enabled attractions blending gaming, sports, and leisure.The integration of AI and robotics to manage crowd movement and optimize operational efficiency.Data-driven personalization for entertainment preferences.Qiddiya demonstrates how technology amplifies large-scale entertainment tourism.New Murabba: The Smart Urban HubNew Murabba in Riyadh is envisioned as a smart mixed-use destination, featuring:AI-driven urban design for efficiency.IoT-powered services across retail, culture, and hospitality.Immersive visitor journeys integrating real-world and digital layers.It will become a central hub of Riyadh’s future tourism economy.Driving Efficiency and Personalization Through DataData-driven systems are the backbone of Saudi Arabia’s smart tourism vision. From predictive analytics in hospitality management to cloud integrations across operations, the Kingdom is leveraging information as an economic asset.Examples include:AI-driven predictive maintenance for infrastructure.Generative AI tools for real-time travel planning.Robotics for cleaning, delivery, and customer support in budget hotels.Cloud-based systems that automate climate and waste management, cutting costs and emissions.This integration aligns with the global demand for sustainable, personalized, and efficient tourism experiences.The Rise of Cognitive Tourism in Saudi ArabiaCognitive tourism marks the shift from static services to dynamic, adaptive systems. In Saudi Arabia, this translates into:Generative AI assistants supporting trip customization.In-destination AI companions that adapt suggestions based on real-time behavior.Dynamic service models that adjust to visitor flow, environmental changes, and cultural events.Cognitive tourism ensures that each visitor experiences Saudi Arabia in a unique, evolving way.Economic Impact: Tourism as a Growth EngineTourism is no longer just a leisure industry—it is an economic growth engine. By 2030, Saudi Arabia expects tourism to:Attract 150 million visitors annually.Contribute 10% to national GDP.Create millions of new jobs across hospitality, entertainment, and technology sectors.Stimulate foreign investment in innovation-driven tourism ventures.This makes tourism not only a cultural initiative but a strategic pillar of economic diversification.Global Positioning: Saudi Arabia as a Tourism InnovatorBy integrating AI, IoT, biometrics, and immersive media as foundational tourism elements, Saudi Arabia is setting new global standards. The Kingdom is positioning itself not just as a Middle Eastern destination but as a world leader in smart tourism innovation.While other countries experiment with isolated tech applications, Saudi Arabia is building an end-to-end ecosystem, where technology, sustainability, and culture are seamlessly intertwined.A Smart Tourism Future for the KingdomSaudi Arabia’s dedication to smart tourism as set out in Vision 2030 extends beyond a mere national strategy. It’s an architectural framework for the future of world travel. By constructing Neom City, the Red Sea Project, Diriyah, Qiddiya, and New Murabba, the Kingdom is fashioning smart tourism sites that interlace culture with cutting-edge technology in a sustainable manner.As these ventures progress, the Kingdom is poised to become a world leader in tourism innovation, offering personalized, sustainable, safe, and immersive experiences.Saudi Arabia is using artificial intelligence and other immersive technologies on key projects such as Neom and the Red Sea Project in order to reimagine the country’s tourism sector. This is part of the country’s vision 2030 blueprint which seeks to improve visitor engagement, sustainability, and intelligent tourism in the country while reengineering the very foundations of travel.By 2030, the Kingdom will exceed its ambitious tourism targets and will transform the meaning of travel in the digital world.

This information will surprise you!

Conclusion

Did you enjoy the news? Keep following us daily!