Ahmed Al Khateeb, the Saudi Minister of Tourism and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Saudi Tourism Authority (STA), has launched the ‘Saudi Travel Expo’ in Beijing’s Tiantan Park.
The nine day event aligns with Saudi Vision 2030. The STA’s global promotional campaign seeks to cement Saudi Arabia’s position as a leader in global tourism as well as to reinforce the Kingdom’s ties with China.
The Minister led the Saudi delegation comprising prominent officials and key partners from the Kingdom’s tourism sector. The delegation carried out a series of meetings and signing of several memoranda of understanding with leading Chinese companies.
Ahmed Al-Khateeb Saudi Minister of Tourism & Chairman of the Board of Directors – STA
“With this global campaign, we aim to enhance cooperation with China by forming strategic partnerships to grow the tourism sector in both our countries. We are excited to welcome Chinese tourists to experience our vibrant tourism offerings, especially now that the Kingdom has been recognized as a premier destination for travelers from China.”
Fahd Hamidaddin, CEO of STA, commented that, “China is a key international market for the Kingdom, and we are thrilled to see the rising interest from Chinese tourists. Between 2023 and 2024, the number of visitors from China has doubled.”
The Saudi Travel Expo included interactive sections highlighting the Kingdom’s stunning tourism destinations in Diriyah, Al-Ula, and Al-Baha, and the opportunities for the visitors to capture personal photographs amid these famous landmarks.
Guests also enjoyed Sadu weaving and Saudi’s traditional music performances. In addition to this, Saudi tourism partners offered various packages and offers to visit prime destinations, including Jeddah, Neom, and the Red Sea, and attend exclusive global events in the Riyadh Season.
Saudi tourism leaders have partnered with their Chinese counterparts to prepare for the arrival of Chinese tourists, to ensure them a seamless, safe, and elevated travel experience through a variety of initiatives.
These initiatives include training tour guides who can speak Chinese, adding Chinese language support to the Tourism Unified Care Center (930), and providing tailored payment solutions for Chinese visitors in partnership with UnionPay.
