TS: Why is India an important market for Saudi Tourism?
STA: India really set the standard in destination marketing with its Incredible India brand campaign. And it is amazing to think that campaign will be 20 years old next year. And as the tourism market begins to reopen, India will be one of the most significant source markets in the world.
TS: What are STAs plans to increase tourism numbers over the coming years?
STA: We aim to achieve 100 million annual visits to the Kingdom by 2030, made up of both domestic and international travelers. To achieve this goal, we have developed a comprehensive strategy to drive the number of visits, increase spend and build a leading tourism brand for Saudi. We have identified 15 priority leisure source markets spanning the GCC region, Asia, NorthAmerica and Europe. This is broken down further into three target segments, leisure, MICE, and spiritual travel. Since opening our doors to leisure tourism in September 2019, STA has unveiled many new destinations and experiences for audiences from home and abroad.
The campaigns highlight what Saudi has to offer today – its rich culture, deep heritage, diversity of landscapes, and unparalleled hospitality. It is the authentic home of Arabia: a place of exploration, of unique experiences. This is what we want the world to discover about Saudi.
TS: What are some of the things Indian Travelers can expect to find in Saudi Arabia, that make it a destination of interest to them.
STA: Saudi has a diverse and exciting offering when it comes to culture and heritage. The country is home to five UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and a further 11 sites on the UNESCO tentative list. As we develop this aspect of our offering, Hegra in AlUla and Diriyah on the outskirts of Riyadh are spotlight projects for tourists considering a visit to Saudi in the coming months. Hegra, once the southern capital of the Nabataean kingdom, officially opened to leisure tourism in October 2020. Located in AlUla, there are several exciting infrastructure projects in the pipeline, such as French architect Jean Nouvel’s luxury resort in the Sharaan Reserve and Singapore luxury hotel group Aman’s three eco-focused resorts. Diriyah, the birthplace of the Saudi state, aims to become one of the region’s foremost destinations for historical and cultural knowledge-sharing activities and international events.
TS: In the present difficult times of Covid -19, how geared is Saudi Tourism to receive Indian and international guests. What are the Challenges and how do you plan to overcome these?
STA: We continue to work closely with the Ministry of Health on health and safety standards. The Ministry has put in place comprehensive protocols for establishments to provide visitors and their families with a safe experience, which are aligned with the guidelines recommended by the WTTC.
- Free healthcare is provided to anyone in Saudi Arabia (citizens and visitors alike) affected by COVID-19
- Tracking and testing apps have been introduced to help people assess their health and manage any quarantine requirements
- The Saudi tourism e-visa process is 100% digital, ensuring the reduction of touchpoints ahead of travel and upon arrivals
TS: Regarding Visa, what formalities do the Indian and International travelers have to undergo?
STA: In September 2019, the tourist e-visa was introduced. The launch of the e-visa was a significant milestone in the opening up of the Kingdom. From September 2109 to March 2020, we had issued more than 400,000 tourism visas, and we are confident that we will exceed this target once borders re-open. Visitors from 49 countries are able to apply for the visit visa online, while other nationalities are able to apply for the visa at the Saudi embassy or consulate in their home country.
