Tourism Development Fund Celebrates Winning Projects from Grow Tourism Hackathons & Bootcamps, Highlighting Innovation as a Catalyst for Sector Growth

Ain Alalam – Rashad Iskandrni

The Tourism Development Fund (TDF), the national enabler of Saudi Arabia’s tourism sector, has concluded the final ceremony of the Grow Tourism Hackathons & Bootcamps, organized by “TDF Grow,” the Fund’s non-financial enablement arm. The event was held in the presence of the program’s strategic sponsor, Al Ahsa Development Authority, alongside leading entrepreneurs, investors, and representatives from government entities and the private sector.

The program attracted nearly 300 participants from Aseer, Al Ahsa, and Al Madinah, who collectively developed 64 tourism-focused projects spanning accommodation, tourism activities, and supporting services. Following multiple stages of mentorship and development, 38 projects advanced to the bootcamp phase, with 10 projects shortlisted to pitch before the judging panel at the final ceremony. Ultimately, five standout projects were awarded financial prizes and provided with opportunities to connect with partners under TDF’s Tourism Empowerment Programs, supporting their access to financing and future growth.

This edition underscores TDF’s commitment to advancing sustainable tourism by empowering startups and entrepreneurs with innovative, practical solutions that address real-world challenges. By transforming ideas into scalable, market-ready projects, the program contributes to enhancing service quality and readiness across tourism destinations throughout Saudi Arabia.

Commenting on the program, Qusai Al-Fakhri, CEO of the Tourism Development Fund, stated that the initiative reflects TDF’s role as a national engine for tourism innovation, emphasizing that investing in the capabilities of Saudi youth enables local challenges to be converted into high-impact tourism ventures with lasting economic and developmental value. He added that the Fund continues to build an integrated ecosystem that supports the growth of promising tourism projects, enhances visitor experiences, strengthens local communities, and reinforces the competitiveness of the tourism sector, aligned with the National Tourism Strategy and Saudi Vision 2030.

Through TDF Grow, the Fund empowers entrepreneurs and startups via specialized programs that include hackathons, bootcamps, accelerators, and incubators, complemented by mentorship, advisory services, and strategic partnerships across the public and private sectors. These efforts ensure the development of innovative tourism projects that enrich visitor experiences across diverse destinations.

To date, TDF Grow programs have supported more than 10,000 entrepreneurs, contributed to the graduation of over 240 startups currently operating in the market, and helped attract nearly SAR 70 million in investments, demonstrating the Center’s growing impact on strengthening Saudi Arabia’s tourism innovation ecosystem and developing high-potential tourism ventures.

Tourism Development Fund (TDF)

The Tourism Development Fund (TDF) is Saudi Arabia’s national enabler of the tourism sector, going beyond financing to drive high-impact investments and enhance the competitiveness of the Saudi’s tourism destinations.

TDF enables entrepreneurs and tourism businesses with tailored financial solutions and non-financial support programs while attracting local and international investors to develop landmark tourism projects.

With a vision to create a dynamic and attractive investment environment, TDF fosters strategic partnerships, supports economic diversification, enriches visitor experiences, and strengthens Saudi Arabia’s position as a leading global tourism destination. Committed to advancing the goals of Saudi Vision 2030 and the National Tourism Strategy, TDF remains a trusted partner, working closely with investors and key stakeholders across the sector.

For media inquiries, please contact TDF Corporate Communication team: cc@TDF.gov.sa