Ashraf AboArafe
Riyadh – The Saudi Tourism Authority announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding with the Swiss Tourism Authority, aiming to enhance joint cooperation. The signing ceremony took place at the headquarters of the Saudi Tourism Authority.
The signing ceremony was attended by Guy Parmelan, Member of the Federal Council and Swiss Minister of Economy, Education and Research, and Ambassador Yasmine Chatelaau, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Switzerland to the Kingdom. The agreement was signed by the CEO of the Saudi Tourism Authority, Fahd Hamid Al-Din, and the Director of the Gulf Cooperation Council Countries Region in the Swiss Tourism Authority, Evio Goetz.
This agreement is considered the first of its kind between the two bodies, in order to exchange experiences, visions and information, and launch joint initiatives, projects and programmes.
The partnership is primarily based on identifying joint marketing opportunities, with the aim of promoting a variety of travel destinations in both countries, with a particular focus on tourist attractions such as marine activities, culture and heritage, and rural tourism, through joint marketing efforts, with the aim of attracting travelers looking for… Unique experiences, and increasing awareness of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Switzerland as two leading travel destinations that meet the aspirations of wide segments of travelers.
In addition, the Saudi Tourism Authority and the Swiss Tourism Authority will work jointly to adapt modern and advanced technologies in order to develop and improve the visitor experience to become smoother, more enjoyable and safer, by enhancing cooperation and interaction between local tourism agencies and companies, which will contribute to achieving the common goals of the tourism sector in the Kingdom. Saudi Arabia and Switzerland.
On this occasion, Fahd Hamid Al-Din, CEO and member of the Board of Directors of the Saudi Tourism Authority, said: “This important partnership expresses the ongoing efforts and endeavors of the Saudi Tourism Authority to enhance communication with international partners with the aim of exchanging experiences and discussing joint cooperation opportunities, in addition to working to develop qualitative tourism experiences and programs.” He added CEO: “Over the past year, visits from Switzerland have increased by 84%; Through this partnership, we seek to attract more people in the coming period.”
Livio, who is responsible for GCC markets at the Swiss Tourism Authority, said: “The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is of great importance to Switzerland as one of the most important international markets. It is the largest market in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, with the Kingdom’s share of the total number of stays within the Gulf Cooperation Council countries reaching 40%, 300,000 hotel nights annually, and 420 Swiss francs average daily spending. The Swiss Tourism Authority also opened its regional office in Riyadh to enhance rapprochement and joint cooperation.”
The Saudi Tourism Authority and the Swiss Tourism Authority will also jointly organize events, exhibitions and conferences in both countries, with the aim of promoting the development of the tourism sector. This comes in implementation of important objectives within the framework of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, and promoting a common vision for the future of the tourism industry in the two countries.
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia seeks to receive 150 million visitors by 2030, and it is considered one of the fastest growing destinations in the world. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is also strengthening its connection to the world through an aviation strategy with an estimated budget of $100 billion, as it currently has an air network that reaches more than From 128 destinations, including Switzerland, the two sister countries are connected by three weekly flights from Geneva to Riyadh, with a capacity of up to 330 seats, and four weekly flights from Geneva to Jeddah, with a capacity of up to 564 seats. Flights are also available from Zurich to Riyadh, with three weekly flights and more than 300 seats.
This agreement comes at a time when visiting the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has become easier and smoother than ever before, in light of the facilities provided and the number and types of entry visas to the country, including electronic visas, and the digital infrastructure, which is represented by the Spirit of Saudi Arabia platform and the rich information it provides, wide options and interactive maps. And health data, in addition to a rich agenda of global and specific events.
