Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman will be in Washington this week — a visit that’s drawing political attention, and also catching the eye of the travel industry. Executives across aviation, hospitality, and finance are watching for signals about U.S. alignment with the kingdom’s tourism overhaul, and how seriously Washington views Saudi Arabia’s attempt to reposition itself as a global tourism destination.
Saudi Arabia’s signature program, Vision 2030 — launched under MBS to reduce the country’s dependence on oil — represents one of the most expensive tourism bets in the world. A friendlier atmosphere in Washington could help unlock U.S. financing, private equity interest, and deeper partnerships with major hotel and entertainment brands.
Or, they may not talk about travel and tourism at all. President Trump’s visit to Saudi in May, 2025 resulted in a $600
