Saudi Tourism sees 50% more visitors from India, attends OTM for third time

Wednesday, February 7, 2024

The Saudi Tourism Authority (STA) is gearing up for its participation in the upcoming Outbound Travel Market (OTM) from February 8-10 at the Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai. This event is a significant platform aimed at bolstering connections between the travel industry and major players from the globe’s most rapidly expanding tourism market. STA’s ongoing involvement in OTM Mumbai reflects the growth of its tourism sector. The delegation at the event will include 20 influential Saudi stakeholders and partners from diverse fields, such as Destination Management Organizations (DMOs) like Red Sea Global, AlUla, Diriyah, as well as Destination Management Companies (DMCs), hotels, tour operators, and airlines. They will join forces to highlight the varied attractions and efforts propelling Saudi Arabia’s tourism forward. Their participation highlights STA’s dedication to developing robust partnerships with the Indian travel industry.

STA is eager to present its wide array of experiences, services, and products through a booth that captures the spirit of Saudi Arabia, the authentic heart of Arabia. The carefully curated space will offer an outstanding opportunity for networking and personalized discussions with Indian travel trade association members, tour operators, and travel agents. Attendees will have the chance to discover more about major projects like Red Sea Global, which features luxurious properties such as The Six Senses and St. Regis, AlUla with its UNESCO World Heritage site of Hegra, and the upcoming Sindalah in NEOM set to launch later this year.

Alhasan Aldabbagh, President – APAC Markets, Saudi Tourism Authority, emphasised the
significance of the Indian market, stating, “As we continue to diversify our offerings, India has
proved to be a major accelerator. We are committed to making India the top source market, aiming
to welcome 7.5 million Indian visitors by 2030. To facilitate this, we made visa procedures very easy
by introducing e-visa options for Indians holding US, UK and Schengen visas with stamped proof
entry. Applying for visa-on-arrival has become easier than ever as it can be processed at 10 visa centres across India.”:

Travelers can now apply for a Stopover visa up to 90 days before their visit to Saudi, allowing for stays of up to 96 hours. This visa is available through visa facilitation centers for passengers flying with Saudia or Flynas. Aldabbagh noted that Saudi’s air links have been significantly strengthened with partnerships with airlines such as Air India, Air India Express, Indigo Airlines, Spice Jet, and Vistara. In 2023, air capacity soared to 2.8 million seats, marking a 31% increase from 2019. This enhanced connectivity, including flights from 12 key Indian cities to Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam, plays a crucial role in supporting Saudi’s tourism initiatives.

At the event, the STA delegation will engage with travel agents, tour operators, event organizers, media, and other participants, sharing details about Saudi’s rich array of tourist offerings. This includes a peek into some of the world’s most grandiose events hosted by Saudi, such as the Riyadh Season, Jeddah Season, and Diriyah Season, along with upcoming highlights like the Saudi Cup, Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, AlUla Arts Festival, AlUla Skies Festival, and many others, totaling 17,000 events.

To deepen its engagement with India, STA is organizing a networking tour across four cities: Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, and Delhi. This initiative aims to build relationships with travel agents and tour operators, enhancing collaboration and business connections.

Saudi Arabia, with its varied landscapes, rich cultural traditions, and welcoming atmosphere, has become a premier destination for travelers in search of distinct and enriching experiences. The country offers a wealth of attractions, including seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites, over 10,000 archaeological sites, underwater adventures, luxury camping, cave explorations, desert safaris, and various adventure sports, catering to the diverse interests of its visitors.

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