Emirates Airlines has just signed two partnership agreements with Saudi Arabia and Thailand, in order to develop tourism there.
The Saudi Tourism Authority (STA) and the Emirati company based at Dubai Airport have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to “boost tourism in Saudi Arabia and attract new travelers across the network of the airline company “. This new agreement intends to take advantage of Emirates’ international network, which serves more than 120 destinations, to “inspire travelers to visit Saudi Arabia and its unique attractions”. The memorandum of understanding highlights “the importance of building partnerships within the tourism ecosystem”, and the role that different stakeholders play in fostering a sustainable recovery.
Emirates and the STA will explore avenues of collaboration on strategic initiatives, to “improve the Kingdom’s competitiveness in international tourism”: the diversity of Saudi landscapes, the richness of its cultural heritage, the dynamism of its entertainment sector, or yet the unparalleled hospitality of its people “constitute an attractive destination for travelers from all over the world”. Promotional actions and support for travel professionals in Emirates’ main markets are among the avenues envisaged so that customers interested in this destination can “convert their interest into a reservation”. Sharing knowledge on market and customer trends will be another lever to use, underlines the Emirates press release.
As part of this strategic partnership, the airline will also study the possibility of facilitating connections to Saudi Arabia, with better flight connections from the main destinations of its network to the Kingdom. Objective: “to bring ever more fluidity to the experience of its customers to develop the arrival of tourists from abroad”. Emirates and the Saudi Tourism Authority will also study how to improve tourism infrastructure in Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam and Medina, the four Saudi airports served by the airline with 53 flights per week including Airbus A380, “for a travel experience strengthened”.
Fahd Hamidaddin, CEO and Board Member of the Saudi Tourism Authority, said: “The Saudi Tourism Authority continues its efforts to attract tourists and promote Saudi Arabia’s tourist destinations by targeting key markets. airlines from the Gulf, the world, and by forging important partnerships to achieve the objectives and ambitions of the Saudi tourism ecosystem, in harmony with Vision 2030”. Since the start of its air routes in the region, Emirates has transported more than 25 million passengers to and from the Saudi Kingdom.
