Saudi tourism experiences 50% increase in Indian visitors

• The Saudi exhibition exceeded previous editions, reflecting the success of its promotional strategy in India.
• Saudi and Indian airlines introduced new flights and streamlined immigration procedures.
• The top destinations include Madinah, Riyadh, Jeddah, and AlUla, one of the Kingdom’s six UNESCO World Heritage sites.

The Kingdom’s tourism authority announced a 50 percent growth in the number of Indians traveling to Saudi Arabia following a series of strategic initiatives in 2023. Over the weekend, it participated in India’s main international travel show.

The 2024 edition of the South Asian Travel and Tourism Exchange, Asia’s leading platform for the tourism and hospitality industry, occurred in Noida in the Indian capital region from Feb. 22 to 24.

At the venue, the Saudi Tourism Authority established a huge pavilion to promote the Kingdom’s ancient heritage sites and new tourism destinations.

“This marks Saudi Tourism Authority’s third year participating in one of the most prominent tourism trade shows in South Asia,” Alhasan Aldabbagh, STA president for Asia-Pacific markets, told the news.

“SATTE has been successful as it allowed us to strengthen our partnerships, share insights, and grow together with our trade partners with one unified goal, which is to bring Saudi to life and make its experiences and packages bookable.”

The size of the Saudi exhibition this year surpassed that of the fair’s previous editions, also reflecting the increasing success of its promotional strategy in India.

“We hosted over 1.5 million Indian inbound travelers in 2023, making a substantial 50 percent increase in visitation from 2022. This surge is attributed to strategic initiatives, including a successful partnership with the Indian Premier League, (and) enhanced air connectivity,” Aldabbagh said.

In February last year, the STA entered into a partnership agreement with the IPL — the men’s T20 franchise that holds the title of the world’s most-watched cricket league — officially sponsoring it and tapping into a strong sports fanbase in both countries.

In 2023, Saudi and Indian airlines also introduced new flights, establishing direct connections between Indian cities and the Kingdom. Additionally, they streamlined immigration procedures by adding visa-processing centers.

“Last year, we opened 10 VFS Tasheel offices across India, with plans to expand into tier-two cities. We launched our first-ever free 96-hour stopover visa early last year in collaboration with SAUDIA and Flynas, our national carriers,” Aldabbagh said, adding that it is now “easier than ever” for Indians to visit the Kingdom.

Indians have primarily been attracted to the increasing number of cultural attractions, with archaeological works in full swing and the development of leisure infrastructure.

Currently, the top destinations include Madinah, Riyadh, Jeddah, and AlUla — one of the Kingdom’s six UNESCO World Heritage sites.

“Saudi has been promoting its rich cultural and historical heritage through key initiatives like the restoration and preservation of heritage sites such as AlUla and Diriyah and the development of cultural festivals and events,” Aldabbagh said.

“To offer Indian travelers a plethora of accommodation options and recreational activities tailored to their preferences, we have invested heavily in developing tourism infrastructure, including hotels, resorts, and entertainment facilities, to accommodate the growing number of visitors.”

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