Saudi Arabia’s Approved Destination Status (ADS) for China is set to come into force this July, ushering in a new era of tourism and economic partnership.
Officially kicking-in on July 1st, 2024, this pivotal milestone follows the signing ceremony held on September 26, 2023, in Beijing, where His Excellency Abdulrahman Ahmad Al-Harbi, Ambassador of Saudi Arabia to China, Fahd Hamidaddin, Chief Executive Officer of the Saudi Tourism Authority, and Du Jiang, Vice Minister of Culture and Tourism, P.R. of China, formalised the agreement.
The ADS designation will unlock new avenues for collaboration, building on existing partnerships in Saudi Arabia, such as the alliance with UnionPay, which is accepted by half a million merchants across the Kingdom. Chinese visitors will benefit from seamless payment routes and enhanced travel experiences, supported by initiatives like the VisitSaudi.cn portal in Mandarin, Mandarin signage at Riyadh airport, and joint marketing campaigns with leading travel trade partners.
Saudi Arabia’s China-ready strategy aims to create bespoke and dynamic experiences for Chinese travellers, with special hotel offers and attractive deals curated by local Destination Management Companies (DMCs).
The ADS designation will thus significantly enhance group travel opportunities for Chinese tourists to Saudi Arabia, reflecting the Kingdom’s commitment to fostering a strategic economic partnership with China. This move is set to deepen bilateral relations, driving greater connectivity and unlocking new opportunities within the tourism sector.
Ahmed Al-Khateeb, Saudi Minister of Tourism, remarked, “Underpinned by China’s Belt and Road Initiative and Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, China and Saudi Arabia are unlocking limitless opportunities and driving forward mutually beneficial collaboration. The ADS status is expected to significantly boost inbound travel from China, facilitating the ease of access needed to reach Saudi Arabia’s target of attracting 3 million Chinese tourists by 2030. Today signifies the culmination of months of dedicated efforts between our nations, encapsulating our enduring and historic bilateral relations, built on a foundation of shared vision and mutual interests.”
Fahd Hamidaddin, CEO of Saudi Tourism Authority said, “Saudi’s approval as a tourist destination for Chinese visitors reflects our continuous efforts and participation in trade shows and conferences, leading to agreements with Chinese organizations. We strive to provide a seamless, enjoyable, and safe experience for Chinese tourists, including streamlined visa procedures, increased flight capacity, and Mandarin integration across airports, destinations, tourist sites, and digital platforms like the ‘Visit Saudi’ website. Partnerships with trusted Chinese brands such as UnionPay, Trip.com, Huawei, and Tencent further enhance our offerings.”
Abdulrahman Ahmad Al-Harbi, Saudi Arabia’s Ambassador to China, emphasised, “By strengthening bilateral ties with China, the ADS agreement opens doors for economic development across sectors, benefiting both nations.”
Du Jiang, Vice Minister of Culture and Tourism of P.R. China, stated, “I am delighted to sign the ADS agreement with Saudi, one of our key Belt and Road Initiative partners. Our decades-long bilateral bond has shown that our nations share a deep appreciation for each other’s rich and diverse cultures and are committed to fostering mutual understanding and respect. ADS, with its potential to enhance people-to-people exchanges and dialogue, is a testament to this shared vision.”
In preparation for this momentous change, Saudi Arabia has launched several key initiatives targeting the Chinese market. The country’s flag carrier, SAUDIA, has introduced direct flights from Jeddah-Beijing and Riyadh-Beijing, in addition to daily flights from Guangzhou. These steps reflect the growing demand for connectivity between the two nations.
As the Kingdom prepares for an influx of Chinese tourists, it reaffirms its commitment to offering a welcoming, enriching, and thoroughly enjoyable travel experience for visitors from this region.
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Photo – top of page – (left to right) Fahd Hamidaddin, Chief Executive Officer of the Saudi Tourism Authority, His Excellency Abdulrahman Ahmad Al-Harbi, Ambassador of Saudi Arabia to China, and Du Jiang, Vice Minister of Culture and Tourism, P.R. of China
