The Minister of Tourism and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Saudi Tourism Authority (STA), Ahmed Al-Khateeb, inaugurated Saudi Arabia’s newest coastal tourism destination - the Saudi Red Sea at the Saudi Pavilion.
NEOM, Amaala, Red Sea Global, Jeddah Historical and KAEC, were among the coastal destinations that were present on stand, showcasing the rich offerings of the new super destination.
In an exclusive reveal, trade partners were introduced to the undiscovered coastal marvel that spans 1,800km of coastline with expansive on-land and in-water products. Across three distinct regions, each with its own character and breathtaking nature, the Saudi Red Sea offers stunning corals, pristine turquoise waters and one of the richest biomarine diversities in the world.
The North area of the destination will focus on the luxury and beauty of the sea encompassing marquee destinations such as Neom, Sindalah and Amaala. The Centre is based around Jeddah, highlighting metropolis and fun at sea, along with midscale offerings. The South will focus on tradition, nature and cultural activities. A groundbreaking reveal for Saudi, the new destination is connected by air, ground and sea, pioneering regenerative tourism and pushing boundaries with its unparalleled blend of sustainability, modern luxury, and world class events.
PLAY QIDDIYA CITY
Also at WTM London, Qiddiya launched its dedicated Destination Marketing and Management Organisation (DMMO). The identity of the DMMO is ‘Play Qiddiya City’, marking a key milestone in the ongoing commitment to engage with trade partners across the globe. This announcement signals the beginning of Qiddiya’s active involvement in fostering meaningful partnerships with businesses, investors, and trade professionals.
As the world’s first city built for Play, Qiddiya City is an ambitious, world-class destination located in the heart of the Tuwaiq Mountains, just 40 minutes from Riyadh. Developed to support Vision 2030, with a focus on entertainment, sports and culture, Qiddiya City will offer family-friendly theme parks, sports arenas, cultural venues, and outdoor and adventure activities.
With iconic assets ranging from theme parks to stadiums to performing arts centres, Play Qiddiya City DMMO remains focused on developing a cohesive destination proposition. This launch is a crucial early step, enabling the DMMO to engage with the market and respond to trade needs well ahead of an ever-evolving series of launches, announcements and activities in the coming months and years.
As a key part of this dynamic project, Play Qiddiya City DMMO encourages travel trade professionals to reach out and explore partnership opportunities, leveraging it as a resource hub for information, collaboration, and shared growth.
SARA INTRODUCTION
SARA, a cutting-edge AI digital human developed to represent Welcome to Arabia as a brand ambassador, a travel companion and personal concierge was revealed at WTM.
Utilising the latest advancements in Generative AI, SARA will embody Saudi’s future-forward approach to tourism. SARA will deliver life-like interactive experience that is ahead of any existing technologies and solutions to help improve knowledge and understanding of Saudi Arabia as a premier leisure destination.
SARA is a digital human with a backstory. She has a history and diverse interests, fostering a genuine human connection that appeals to users. SARA’s backstory is thoughtfully woven into her design, reflecting Saudi’s authentic heritage. She is portrayed as a young Saudi national, embodying the spirit of hospitality and curiosity that defines Saudi culture. Passionate about her homeland, she has explored every corner, from the ancient ruins of AlUla to the vibrant markets of Jeddah. This narrative gives SARA a unique personality that visitors can trust on their journey through Saudi.
SAUDI’S ALLURE
Saudi Arabia’s presence at WTM highlighted the growing interest from European and American travellers in Saudi as a winter sun destination since the launch of “Where Winter Lights Up”, the second phase of the cinematic global Saudi tourism campaign “This Land is Calling”. The Winter campaign encourages travellers from around the world to embark on a journey of discovery across several destinations: Riyadh, Jeddah, AlUla, and the Red Sea, and immerse themselves in Saudi’s packed year-round events calendar – Riyadh Season, AlUla Festival and Events, Jeddah Calendar, Diriyah Season, the Dakar Rally, Spanish Football Cup and Italian Football Cup, and Formula 1 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix in Jeddah.