Amidst growing interest in travel from India to Saudi Arabia for both spiritual and leisure reasons, Riyadh sets its sights on welcoming 7.5 million Indian tourists by 2030. This goal was outlined by Alhasan Aldabbagh, President – Asia Pacific of the Saudi Tourism Authority, during the prestigious SATTE 2024 travel exhibition.
Commemorating three centuries since its establishment, Aldabbagh marked the occasion of Saudi’s founding day and expressed excitement about Saudi’s third participation in SATTE. Underlining India’s significance as a key market, he pointed out a significant 50 percent increase in Indian visitors to Saudi Arabia last year, delineating strategies to realize the vision for 2030.
In a conversation with media, Aldabbagh said, “We’re thrilled to be at SATTE. It’s our third participation, and it’s one of the most distinguished trade shows in South Asia. Today holds significance as we celebrate the Saudi founding day.”
When queried about the Indian market’s role in Saudi Arabia, Aldabbagh asserted, “India is a priority market for Saudi. Last year alone, we welcomed 1.5 million visitors from India, presenting a remarkable 50 per cent growth. Looking ahead, our objective is to attract 7.5 million visitors from India to Saudi Arabia as part of our vision for 2030.”
Addressing visa facilitation, Aldabbagh mentioned, “Recognising India’s importance, we have streamlined access to Saudi. With 10 VFS offices in India, we plan to expand further this year. We’ve introduced a stopover program, offering a 96-hour free visa for those travelling through Saudi Airlines or flynas (a private Saudi low-cost airline). Additionally, individuals holding a US, UK, or Schengen visa are eligible for e-Visa or visa on arrival.”
Regarding the enduring relationship between India and Saudi Arabia, Aldabbagh said, “The mutual goodwill between India and Saudi Arabia has consistently expanded. This growth spans not only in the tourism sector but also in economic, social, and cultural exchanges. We eagerly anticipate our planned activations in India this year, further solidifying our flourishing relationship.”
India and Saudi Arabia have amiable relations representing the centuries-old economic and socio-cultural ties.