With China, Saudi Arabia is formally implementing the Approved Destination Status (ADS) in an effort to establish strategic economic ties.
The certification of ADS will lead to mutual understanding and growth on the economic front for both countries by opening up new opportunities in the tourism sector.
Set to establish more direct flights, create holiday packages and partnerships to enhance Chinese passenger experience, Saudi Arabia is preparing for China.
The second China roadshow in which Saudi Arabia participated and attended the ITB China in Shanghai. As a result, the nation said that from the beginning of July, they will begin implementing the official Approved Destination Status (ADS).Saudi Arabia is indicating its determination to work with China as a strategic economic partner by taking this action. This choice will promote friendship, understanding, and economic advancement for both countries while creating new chances in the tourism industry. An important milestone in the history of group travel to Saudi Arabia is the ADS accreditation.
China is the 3rd largest source market for foreign arrivals globally. Efforts in Saudi Arabia are aimed at establishing China-friendly environs. To realize the above, there will be a notable increment in direct flights plying the same route commencing from 2023, development of personalized travel packages and formation of vital partnerships that will improve experiences for both group travelers’ and Flexible Independent Travelers (FIT)
The official ADS status underlines Saudi Arabia's readiness for Chinese travelers and our efforts toward making China our third largest tourism market by the year 2030," said Ahmed Al-Khateeb, the Minister of Tourism for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Through the provision of Mandarin-language information on www.visitsaudi.cn, Mandarin signage at airports, and Mandarin-speaking tour guides and hotel staff, the Saudi Tourism Authority has played a significant role in the facilitation of visas, the reduction of fees, the improvement of air connections, and the readiness of destinations.
The Ambassador of Saudi Arabia to China, Abdulrahman Ahmad Al-Harbi, made the following statement: The ADS agreement strengthens bilateral ties with China and opens doors for economic development across sectors, which is beneficial to both countries. Saudi Arabia's approval as a tourist destination for Chinese visitors is a reflection of our ongoing efforts and participation in trade shows and conferences, which resulted in agreements with Chinese organizations, said Fahd Hamidaddin, the Chief Executive Officer of the Saudi Tourism Authority.
The goal we have in mind is to make Chinese tourists’ travel much more enjoyable than ever before, with fewer constraints such as dealing with the inconvenience of visas; this will be achieved by creating networks between airlines so that they have more space for passengers on flights from different parts of Saudi Arabia into one airspace over Saudi Arabia at the airports where Mandarin would be used while arriving at certain locations within the country’s boundaries by means other than air transportation itself without any problem through online platforms like the Visit Saudi Arabia webpage etc.
In order not to limit themselves only within this area but also to widen their range on products and services UnionPay, Trip.com, Huawei, Tencent together have been contacted as strategic partners in establishing long-term cooperation. By 2030, Saudi Arabia hopes to increase the number of Chinese visitors by five million by establishing additional direct flights from Air China, China Eastern, and China Southern. These flights will supplement the existing routes operating within Saudi Arabia. In comparison to the prior year, these measures directly resulted in a 130% increase in inbound seat capacity and a doubling of weekly flight frequency.
