Saudi tourism celebrates successes & new international partnerships at an exhibition in Berlin
Saudi tourism celebrated the successive achievements, numbers achieved, and strategic partnerships at the conclusion of the participation of the Saudi Tourism Authority, along with its partners, in the Saudi tourism system.
More than two hundred tourism experiences and packages are ready for reservation, and more than ten new international agreements; In addition to achieving the Kingdom’s pavilion for excellence awards at the International Exhibition for Tourism Industry in Berlin, ITB BERLIN 2023.
His Excellency the Minister of Tourism and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Saudi Tourism Authority, Mr. Ahmed bin Aqil Al-Khatib, inaugurated the Saudi pavilion.
He received a number of presidents, ministers, and leaders officials, and also met officials of major commercial entities such as TUI and FTI.In addition to the leaders of the World Tourism Organization and the World Travel and Tourism Council.
Historic agreement
Through these meetings, a historic agreement was signed with the World Tourism Organization that gives priority to people by promoting e-learning.
The Saudi wing had grabbed the limelight with the number of partners, the largest space, and the inspiring interactive content that expresses Saudi culture and originality.
Saudi coffee
Visitors were received with dates and Saudi coffee, introducing unique destinations and experiences were introduced in the first participation of Saudi tourism in this international forum.
The Saudi pavilion won the award for the best pavilion ever, outperforming 5,500 exhibitors from 161 countries, in addition to the award for the best suite in the Middle East.
The Saudi pavilion was distinguished in all evaluation criteria related to experiences that touch the five senses, sustainability, and the use of advanced technology.
The pavilion also sheds light on the facilities, services, and packages offered by the unified national platform “Nusk” that contribute to enriching the experience of those visiting Makkah and Madinah. Numerous meetings were held with travel, tourism, and Umrah companies from Germany, Europe, and the world.
International strategic agreements
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia concluded a number of fruitful and new international strategic agreements. With prominent names and prestigious brands; Notable ones were Expedia, FTI, DER Touristik, Hotel Beds, Lufthansa City Center, and others.
The CEO and member of the Board of Directors of the Saudi Tourism Authority, Professor Fahd Hamid Al-Din, said: Saudi tourism has achieved remarkable successes through the Berlin International Exhibition, which has strengthened the Kingdom’s position on the world tourism map.
The Managing Director of Lufthansa City Center Regional Company, Marcus Orth, added: We are looking forward to a strategic partnership with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The new and wonderful tourist destination; focuses on a sustainable future for the tourism sector; the unique destinations and historical and cultural sites it offers; new and luxurious Red Sea resorts; successive global events, and amazing and distinctive tourism experiences.
Opportunities for joint cooperation
In turn, CEO of the German Travel Association, Norbert Fiebig, said: The agreements concluded between the Saudi Tourism Authority and the German Travel Association will enhance opportunities for joint cooperation, build bridges of communication, friendship, and respect between the two peoples, and promote travel between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Germany.
Saudi tourism, since its renewed launch in 2019; has achieved many achievements and records. It is the fastest-growing country in the world, as it outperformed all G20 countries, with growth rates reaching 121% compared to the period before the global pandemic.
Saudi Arabia also recorded 93.5 million visits in the year 2022. The Kingdom is the largest investor in the world in the tourism sector. Saudi Arabia has allocated $ 550 billion for new destinations and; receives its visitors by 2030. The tourism sector in the Kingdom aims to reach 100 million visits annually by 2030.
The Saudi Tourism Authority participated in the ITB Berlin exhibition for the first time, with exceptional size.
It participated with more than 45 partners.
Among them: the Royal Commission for the City of Makkah Al-Mukarramah and the Holy Sites, the Makkah Region Development Authority, the Al-Madinah Development Authority, Al-Diriyah Company, Historic Jeddah, the Tourism Development Fund, the Asir Region Development Authority, the Royal Commission for Al-Ula Governorate, NEOM, and the Red Sea Development Company, in addition to Tourist destinations, tour operators, hotels, travel, and tourism companies and airlines.
