Saudi-based platform Hido, which specializes in local tourism and authentic community-driven experiences, announced the successful closing of its Seed funding round with participation from American investor Ben Harburg and Shaddah Studio, led by Watfa Hamidaldin and Deem Al-Haqbani, under the sponsorship of the Tourism Development Fund. The move reflects growing confidence in the future of local tourism and community experiences in Saudi Arabia.
Hido is a Saudi digital platform aiming to redefine the way people discover the Kingdom by connecting tourists with local communities to offer more authentic and culturally immersive experiences. The platform provides four main services, including local guided tours hosted by residents, stays in Saudi homes and farms, booking local activities and experiences such as traditional cooking, hiking, and handicrafts, as well as participation in local community events and occasions.
Hido was founded with the goal of empowering local communities to share their culture and daily lifestyles with visitors in a simple, safe, and trustworthy way, aligning with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030 to develop the tourism sector and strengthen the contribution of the cultural and community economy.
The platform offers a fully integrated digital experience that enables tourists to discover local experiences in a more flexible and spontaneous way, with a strong focus on experiences led by local residents themselves. This contributes to creating new income opportunities for communities while enhancing the overall tourism experience within the Kingdom.
The investment round will help accelerate the company’s expansion plans across Saudi Arabia, enhance the platform’s technological infrastructure, improve user experience, strengthen operational readiness, and expand strategic partnerships during the next growth phase.
Over the past period, Hido has successfully built a growing network of local guides and hosts across several Saudi cities, while also developing technological solutions that facilitate bookings, trip management, and communication between tourists and hosts. The company remains focused on delivering reliable experiences deeply connected to Saudi identity and culture.
Wojoud Al Ubaid, Founder and CEO of Hido, said:
“We believe tourism is the white oil of the Kingdom. It is not limited to visiting places, but extends to living the authentic local experience through its people, culture, stories, and heritage that make Saudi Arabia unique. This funding round marks an important step toward accelerating our vision of building a Saudi platform that redefines local tourism and enables communities to become a core part of the authentic tourism experience.”
She added that the investment will allow the company to further invest in technology, customer experience, and operational expansion, while focusing on building more authentic and sustainable tourism experiences.
About Hido
Hido is a Saudi platform specializing in local tourism and community-based experiences. It aims to enable tourists to discover Saudi Arabia through local residents via cultural tours, local hosting, activities and experiences, and community events — all through a seamless, safe, and trusted digital experience.
