Saudi Arabia’s Tourism Shines at Arabian Travel Market 2024

Dubai, 7th May 2024 – The Saudi Tourism Authority (STA) has made a striking entrance at this year’s Arabian Travel Market (ATM), captivating trade partners with Saudi’s stunning summer destinations as the country’s tourism sector thrives.

Kicking off the Middle East’s premier travel and tourism trade show, Saudi representatives are showcasing the nation’s unique and diverse summer offerings, aiming to forge new partnerships and highlight the remarkable growth of Saudi tourism.

Fahd Hamidaddin, CEO and Board Member of STA, leads a delegation of 72 partners from Saudi’s flourishing tourism sector, including top destination management companies, hoteliers, and airlines, at the show in Dubai.

The delegation’s goal is to spotlight Saudi’s exceptional summer destinations to trade partners and consumers in the GCC region, emphasizing Saudi’s stature as a premier year-round tourism destination, especially targeting key markets like India and China.

During the summer season, Saudi Arabia offers an array of activities and destinations, from the pristine beaches of the Red Sea to the rich cultural experiences in Jeddah, along with a unique events lineup including the Esports World Cup beginning in Riyadh this July.

Saudi’s mountainous regions, such as Aseer, Taif, and Al Baha, provide a refreshing escape with temperatures in the pleasant low 20s, making them ideal for adventure enthusiasts seeking natural beauty, wildlife, and hiking trails.

Fahd Hamidaddin, CEO and Board Member of STA, expressed excitement: “We’re thrilled to be back at ATM to showcase Saudi Arabia as an exceptional summer destination, with exciting events, cool mountain regions, and pristine beaches.”

Highlighting the importance of the MEA and APAC markets, which collectively contributed 23 million visits last year, Hamidaddin stressed their focus on expanding these numbers.

Building on the success of last year’s ATM, where over 50,000 visitors engaged at the Saudi stand, this year’s exhibit spans three floors, with partners presenting numerous affordable and luxury products for destinations like Jeddah, AlUla, Aseer, Riyadh, and the Red Sea.

Visitors can immerse themselves in activities like racing bikes through Aseer’s mountains on a virtual simulator, downloading Saudi Summer playlists in partnership with Anghami, exploring football memorabilia at the Saudi Pro League Museum, and enjoying traditional Saudi dance performances and local digital art displays.

The stand also introduces the new “Saudi Rewards” program, offering nationwide rewards for citizens and visitors, with 17 partners currently involved.

On the event’s first day, Hamidaddin participated in a panel discussion with other GCC tourism leaders on collaboration and Saudi’s role in the region’s tourism sector.

The UAE’s Dubai Eye radio station broadcasted live from the Saudi booth, discussing Saudi’s summer attractions. Indian influencer Masoom Minawala Mehta and travel influencers Wael and Nael Abualteen created content for their channels at the stand.

STA and its partners aim to build on last year’s successes, where over 1,600 deals and 50 strategic agreements were signed, resulting in 35,000 additional visits.

Saudi Arabia continues its tourism growth in 2024, with double-digit increases in tourists compared to last year’s first quarter, inching closer to its goal of 150 million visits by 2030.