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LEAP Returns to Riyadh in March for its Third Edition

Riyadh will host the third edition of LEAP, the world’s most attended tech event, from March 4 to 7. (SPA)
Riyadh will host the third edition of LEAP, the world’s most attended tech event, from March 4 to 7. (SPA)
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LEAP Returns to Riyadh in March for its Third Edition

Riyadh will host the third edition of LEAP, the world’s most attended tech event, from March 4 to 7. (SPA)
Riyadh will host the third edition of LEAP, the world’s most attended tech event, from March 4 to 7. (SPA)

Riyadh will host the third edition of LEAP, the world’s most attended tech event, from March 4 to 7.

Held under the theme "Into New Worlds", the event is organized by the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, the Saudi Federation for Cybersecurity, Programming, and Drones, Tahaluf company, and the Small and Medium Enterprises General Authority (Monsha'at).

According to a press release issued by the organizing committee of the event, this year’s edition features expert speakers such as IBM Chairman Arvind Krishna, HPE CEO Antonio Neri, and Zoom Video Communications CEO Eric Yuan.

The event is slated to cover a wide array of topics across multiple stages, including Investor Stage and Main Stage, with discussions following web 3, unicorns and tech giant strategies, and user privacy in technology, along with a large variety of tracks, such as EduTech, RetailTech, FinTech, HealthTech, 4IR, Future Energy, and Smart cities.

DeepFest returns for its second edition at LEAP, in partnership with Saudi Data & AI Authority (SDAIA); more than 150 speakers and 120 exhibitors will take part.

AI is the focus of the event. The dawn of AI, foundations and breakthroughs; AI achievements, applications and impact; AI frontier, innovations and emerging technologies; and AI’s future, collaborations, ethics and sustainability will be tacked over the course of the four days.

LEAP will host more than 1,800 global tech exhibitors, such as Google, Microsoft, Oracle, Dell, Cisco, Avaya, SAP, ServiceNow, Amazon Web Services, IBM, Alibaba, and Huawei.

Vice Minister of Communications and Information Technology Eng. Haitham AlOhali said: “We welcome thought leaders, influencers, investors, and innovators from around the world to LEAP. This edition arrives at a time when variables are accelerating, and generative artificial intelligence is a critical turning point at the economic and social levels.”

“The event will feature 10 stages discussing various aspects of technology, including health, education, and e-commerce,” he added.

Saudi Federation for Cybersecurity, Programming, and Drones CEO Muteb Alqani said: “We are keen to present a special experience to our visitors, as we will gather top speakers and tech experts from around the world.”

“This event has been created to empower technology globally; therefore, the upcoming edition brings together the largest tech companies, startups, and investors, all under one roof, which has the potential to lead to numerous investments and launches,” he stated.

Over 1,000 speakers, 600 startups, and 172,000 are expected to attend the event.

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Egypt’s Tourism Minister: Stability, Trust Are Driving Sector Growth

Sherif Fathy, Egypt’s Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, at the Egyptian pavilion during the Arabian Travel Market in Dubai (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Sherif Fathy, Egypt’s Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, at the Egyptian pavilion during the Arabian Travel Market in Dubai (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Egypt’s Tourism Minister: Stability, Trust Are Driving Sector Growth

Sherif Fathy, Egypt’s Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, at the Egyptian pavilion during the Arabian Travel Market in Dubai (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Sherif Fathy, Egypt’s Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, at the Egyptian pavilion during the Arabian Travel Market in Dubai (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Egypt’s Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, Sherif Fathy, has underscored that political stability and decades of built-up trust among international travelers are critical to the continued growth of Egypt’s tourism sector, even amid regional geopolitical challenges.

Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat on the sidelines of the Arabian Travel Market in Dubai, Fathy said Egypt has consistently demonstrated resilience in the face of crises, recovering rapidly and reinforcing its status as a reliable destination.

“This isn’t coincidental,” he said. “It’s the outcome of long-term institutional planning led by the state, supported by strategic marketing and growing investment in infrastructure and hotel services.”

Fathy acknowledged intensifying competition among regional destinations but described it as both “healthy and necessary,” adding that it does not preclude deeper collaboration. He revealed recent talks with Bahrain’s Minister of Tourism that laid the groundwork for joint tourism programs, allowing Arab and foreign travelers to explore multiple destinations through a single package.

“We’re also collaborating with Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Jordan,” he said. “We believe a coordinated Arab approach can offer travelers a richer, more integrated experience, with each country contributing its strengths.”

While such initiatives may not immediately deliver major numbers, he said they elevate the overall value of the visitor experience and expand market potential over time.

The minister pointed to Egypt’s diverse tourism portfolio as a unique competitive advantage. “We offer a distinctive product that blends Pharaonic heritage, Coptic and Islamic antiquities, beach and desert tourism, and luxury resort destinations like Sharm El-Sheikh, Hurghada, and the North Coast,” he said.

He also highlighted the ministry’s adoption of cutting-edge digital marketing tools, including AI-driven campaigns aimed at European markets that garnered over 100 million views within days. This, he said, boosted global awareness of Egypt as a safe, diverse destination.

Fathy emphasized the government’s focus on empowering the private sector, which he described as the engine behind tourism growth. “We don’t organize tourist itineraries - we create a competitive environment and raise service standards,” he noted.

He pointed to steady improvements in service quality across airports, hotels, and attractions, and rejected the idea that overcrowding poses a significant challenge, particularly when compared to other popular destinations.

Looking ahead, Fathy projected that Egypt could see an 8% increase in tourist arrivals in 2025, building on a strong first quarter that saw year-on-year growth of 25%. He said maintaining stability and global purchasing power would be key to sustaining momentum.