Yang Mei

yangmei_szdaily@163.com

SAUDI ARABIA aims to attract 5 million Chinese tourists a year by 2030, according to Anand Menon, vice president of trade and distribution for Asia Pacific markets at the Saudi Tourism Authority (STA).

“Saudi Arabia is pleased to see the growing demand for traveling from China this summer. Our goal is to attract 5 million Chinese tourists by 2030,” said Menon during his opening remarks at a roadshow promoting Saudi Arabia as a tourist destination in Shenzhen. The event, which was held at The Ritz-Carlton, Shenzhen, attracted representatives from South China tourism agencies, other stakeholders in Saudi Arabia’s tourism sector, and the media.

To attract more Chinese visitors, the STA has launched over 80 tourism products specifically tailored for the Chinese market. The agency has also established a presence on major Chinese social media platforms such as WeChat, Weibo, Douyin, and Xiaohongshu, all in Chinese.

Simplifying visa applications is another strategy. Chinese tourists can now obtain a one-year, multiple-entry e-visa online at visa.visitsaudi.com. They can also obtain a single or multiple-entry visa upon arrival, both of which are valid for one year with a maximum stay of 90 days.

Direct flights are making travel more convenient. Currently, 17 flights operate weekly between China and Saudi Arabia, with direct connections between Jeddah and Beijing and Riyadh and Beijing. Menon revealed that Cathay Pacific and Hainan Airlines will soon begin offering scheduled flights from China to Saudi Arabia.

During the roadshow, Sarah Alkhamees, STA’s business planning manager for the Asia Pacific region, highlighted the tourism potential of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia’s capital and largest city, and the coastal city of Jeddah. Tourists can experience Saudi Arabia’s rich cultural heritage, diverse landscapes, and a variety of cuisines. Alkhamees also mentioned upcoming events like the 2024 Esports World Cup and the World Expo 2030, which will be held in Riyadh, to attract more visitors.

Tourism industry leaders discussed changes and challenges related to group tours to Saudi Arabia during a panel discussion that followed the presentations. The afternoon concluded with a networking session that allowed local tourism agencies and their Saudi counterparts to connect and explore opportunities for collaboration.