Saudi Arabia and UK Join Forces to Boost Tourism Industry
In a groundbreaking move, the Saudi Tourism Authority and VisitBritain have come together to sign a declaration of intent aimed at enhancing and expanding the tourism sector.
The signing took place during the GREAT Futures Conference, marking the beginning of a collaborative effort between the two nations to exchange knowledge and expertise on both domestic and international tourism.
VisitBritain has projected a significant increase in visitors from Saudi Arabia to the UK this year, with an estimated 240,000 travelers expected, representing a 9 percent rise from 2019. Additionally, it is anticipated that these visitors will spend £752 million ($65.56 million) during their trips, up by 20 percent compared to 2019.
Lucy Frazer, the UK Secretary of State for Culture, Media, and Sport, expressed enthusiasm for the partnership, stating, “Today, we’ve signed an MoU because we want to encourage and learn about how to attract more Saudis to the UK and vice versa, how to get more Britons to visit Saudi Arabia.”
She emphasized the strengthening relationship between the two countries, particularly as Saudi Arabia undergoes significant social and economic transformations, stating, “It’s so dynamic and it’s got so many ambitions for the future. And in the UK, we would like to be a strong partner in that.”
Key figures present at the signing included Saudi Tourism Minister Ahmed Al-Khateeb, Princess Haifa Al-Saud, Vice Minister of Tourism, and Fahd Hamidaddin, CEO of the Saudi Tourism Authority, alongside UK representatives Lucy Frazer, Nick de Bois, Chairman of VisitBritain, and Patricia Yates, CEO of VisitBritain.
During her interview with Arab News, Frazer also mentioned discussions about a potential heritage agreement between Historic England and its Saudi counterpart, focusing on joint training and expertise sharing in the restoration of historical buildings.
Al-Khateeb highlighted the historical partnership between Saudi Arabia and the UK, noting the significant number of British tourists welcomed to the kingdom in recent years. He emphasized the importance of forums like GREAT Futures for exchanging expertise and facilitating collaboration between the two nations.
The two-day conference, held at King Abdullah Financial District, featured a wide range of sessions and workshops aimed at strengthening partnerships in various sectors, including tourism, culture, education, and investment. With 450 British delegates in attendance, the event served as a platform for fostering closer ties between Saudi Arabia and the UK.