Tourism Festival in Beijing Aims to Attract Chinese Visitors

Saudi Arabia has launched a tourism festival in Beijing, aiming to attract more Chinese visitors and boost its Vision 2030 tourism goals. The festival, held at Tiantan Park from October 18 to 26, showcases Saudi Arabia’s rich cultural heritage and diverse attractions.

In 2023, Madinah welcomed 14.1 million visitors, a significant milestone for the city. This growth reflects the success of Saudi Arabia’s efforts to enhance its tourism infrastructure and promote its cultural and historical sites.

About the tourism festival

Visitors to the travel festival can experience Saudi culture through interactive stands, live performances, and traditional Saudi coffee and dates. For instance, the Diriyah Company’s “Visit Saudi” pavilion offers unique interactive experiences, including the chance to wear traditional Saudi costumes. In addition, visitors can also watch live weaving performances.

Moreover, the festival features exclusive travel packages that allow visitors to explore key destinations like Diriyah and Al-Baha. These packages highlight the beauty of Saudi Arabia’s historical and natural landscapes, providing a range of experiences.

China-friendly offerings

Apart from the tourism festival, the Saudi Tourism Authority (STA) emphasized the growing number of Chinese visitors to the kingdom.

“We are continuously enhancing our offerings to be ‘China-friendly’ by prioritizing safety, sustainability and immersive cultural experiences,” he remarked.

To further entice Chinese visitors, the STA also started a WeChat mini program to provide personalized travel assistance in Mandarin. In addition, the authority also partnered with UnionPay to create a seamless payment solution. UnionPay is an electronic payment network with headquarters in China. Moreover, Saudi Arabia has also introduced an e-visa program to make it easier for Chinese travelers to visit the kingdom.

In addition, Saudi Arabia has formed strategic partnerships with Chinese companies to enhance cooperation in the tourism sector. One milestone in July 2024 was the approval of Saudi Arabia as a destination for Chinese travelers.

These partnerships aim to provide Chinese travelers with a seamless and enjoyable travel experience, including tailored payment solutions and Chinese language support.

Vision 2030 Goals

The tourism festival aligns with Saudi Vision 2030, which aims to reduce the country’s dependence on oil revenues by promoting tourism and economic diversification. Correspondingly, Chinese tourists play a role in the kingdom’s target of attracting 150 million visitors by 2030.

To facilitate travel, Saudia (Saudi Arabian Airlines) and several Chinese airlines offer direct flights between China and Saudi Arabia.This improved connectivity makes it easier for Chinese travelers to visit Saudi Arabia and experience its diverse attractions

Overall, the tourism festival in Beijing is a significant step towards achieving Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 goals.

By showcasing its cultural heritage and offering exclusive travel packages, Saudi Arabia aims to attract more Chinese visitors and strengthen its position as a global tourism destination.

Photo: X/Saudi Tourism Authority