Saudi Arabia's pavilion at World Travel Market (WTM) London 2021 blossomed with brand new tourism and development deals to boost the fast-growing sector and form international ties.
The growth of the Kingdom's tourism and leisure sector is one of the most impressive in history. According to the Saudi Press Agency, leading travel companies and global tourism partners closed new partnerships that include but are not limited to:
- A partnership with Trip.com, a leading online travel agency. The agreement marks the beginning of a powerful partnership involving five of Trip.com Group’s brands: Trip.com, Ctrip, Sky scanner, Travix, and MakeMyTrip.
Saudi Arabia thrives at World Travel Market #WTM with announcements of major international partnership. Saudi Tourism Authority announcements at the Saudi pavilion included:
— Saudia Radio (@saudia_radio) November 5, 2021
Partnership with https://t.co/ul5Zi2enzc, one of the leading online travel agencies in the world, pic.twitter.com/scmNSkPcB2
- An MoU between STA and JTB Group, a leading travel company. The agreement supports Saudi's market share gain in the APAC, Europe and the Americas. According to Saudi Gazette, "the partnership will drive traffic to Saudi, provide access to market intelligence and include education and training across Saudi within universities and for tour guides."
- STA also signed a MoU with Oyster Diving, a luxury travel and diving company. The aim is to improve the infrastructure around diving experiences in key locations along the Red Sea.
Very pleased to welcome @HuddlestonNigel at the Saudi pavilion here at @WTM_London where we signed an MoU with the UK! We look forward to continuing our collaboration as we work towards a new future for our sector. #RedesignTourism pic.twitter.com/tiz9oeyb1J
— Haifa Mohammed Al-Saud (@hmalsaud1) November 4, 2021
“The pandemic has shown us that the global tourism sector is not just interconnected but interdependent,” said Fahd Hamidaddin, STA CEO. “As the sector rebuilds globally, we are building partnerships at all levels to support the recovery and growth of the sector.”
To further build strong, future-focused relationships and discover opportunities with global partners, Saudi Tourism Authority signed commercial agreements at WTM London with key international companies to enhance the tourism sector in Saudi.pic.twitter.com/A8O5S6LpAU
— الهيئة السعودية للسياحة (@SaudiTourism) November 3, 2021
“Saudi Arabia is establishing a leading global leisure tourism destination. We have been delighted by the positive response we have had from major global travel industry players to the tremendous opportunities our dynamic and growing tourism sector offers," he added, according to Saudi Gazette.
Minister @HuddlestonNigel held meetings with his counterparts from the Government of Saudi Arabia on sport and tourism this week, as part of visits to the World Travel Market @WTM_London and marking #COP26 pic.twitter.com/CxtqYyJHcA
— DCMS (@DCMS) November 4, 2021
WTM Industry Report 2021 lauded the Kingdom as a booming future tourism destination and that the majority of businesses surveyed are planning to tap int opportunities in Saudi.
