Commercial Interiors UK (CIUK), in partnership with the UK Department for Business and Trade (DBT), proudly led the UK Creative Industries Trade Mission to Saudi Arabia, held in September 2025 at the INDEX Saudi Arabia, Riyadh. Commercial Interiors UK's media partner, Design Insider, joined the mission and subsequently published an Event Report. In this series of nine articles, we explore the opportunities, challenges, and leaders in this ambitions growth market for the benefit of commercial suppliers and designers.
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In April 2016, His Royal Highness Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman launched Vision 2030, a national strategic framework designed to diversify Saudi Arabia’s economy, reduce its dependency on oil, and enhance quality of life across the Kingdom1. Developed by the Council of Economic and Development Affairs (CEDA), the Vision lays out ambitious goals for tourism, culture, infrastructure and innovation, creating profound opportunity for the global design and supplier industries.
1. Vision 2030 for Designers and Suppliers
Vision 2030 highlights tourism as a central economic pillar, with a target of attracting 150 million visitors annually by 20302. To support this, the Kingdom is investing over SAR 220 billion (USD 58 billion) in hospitality and tourism infrastructure3, including the delivery of 362,000 new hotel rooms4.
This presents a significant scope of work for architects, interior designers, FF&E consultants, and material suppliers, particularly in hotel development, retail, transport hubs and mixed-use destinations. Opportunities exist at every project phase, from master planning and concept to procurement and delivery.
As Vision 2030 states:
“We will work with the private sector to localize the tourism industry and create unique destinations that highlight our culture and natural diversity.”5
Suppliers who can deliver at scale with sustainability and quality guarantees will find themselves central to this transformation.
2. Tourism, Faith and Infrastructure
Religious tourism remains a priority. The plan includes increasing Umrah pilgrim numbers from 8 million to 30 million annually6. Major developments in Makkah and Madinah, such as the Rua Al Madinah masterplan and the Makkah Route initiative, are designed to improve access, expand accommodation, and elevate the visitor experience.
For designers, this means balancing cultural reverence with architectural innovation. Projects must account for thermal comfort, high-volume footfall, and spiritual symbolism, often within tight delivery timelines.
As the Vision declares:
“We aim to enrich pilgrims’ religious and cultural experiences by offering world-class services and preparing historical and cultural sites for visitors.”7
Whether designing public realm, prayer halls, hotels or transit stations, practitioners must approach these projects with both ambition and humility.
3. The Logistics of Transformation
From NEOM to Qiddiya, The Red Sea Project to Diriyah Gate, Saudi Arabia’s gigaprojects are driving global headlines. The sheer scale of these developments, and their overlapping timelines, demands agile design teams and dependable supply networks.
Vision 2030 places strong emphasis on local content, international partnerships, and technology transfer. Companies that bring regional knowledge, build local capacity and contribute to skill development will be valued long-term collaborators.
“We will localize industries, improve product quality and standards, and support the transfer of knowledge and expertise to the Kingdom.”8
Working in Saudi Arabia requires cultural fluency, operational rigour, and supply chain resilience. For those willing to meet the moment, the reward is long-term engagement with one of the most significant transformation projects in the world.
This article is included in Design Insider’s INDEX Saudi Arabria Event Report. Find the full comprehensive report here.
References
1. Vision 2030 Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, official overview. https://www.vision2030.gov.sa
2. Ministry of Tourism, “Tourism Development Strategy,” 2023 update.
3. Public Investment Fund (PIF) data via Ministry of Investment, 2024.
4. Colliers International, Saudi Arabia Hotel Market Report, Q1 2024.
5. Vision 2030, Tourism Sector Strategic Objectives, Chapter 3.
6. General Authority for Statistics (GaStat), Pilgrimage Data 2023.
7. Vision 2030, Pillar: A Vibrant Society – Objective 3.
8. Vision 2030, Economic Pillar: Thriving Economy – Localisation Strategy.