Saudi Airlines inks two deals to boost KSA tourism arrivals

 

Saudi Arabia’s flag carrier Saudi Airlines, has signed deals with two firms as the airline seeks to tap tourism arrivals in Saudi Arabia which is projected to reach 150 million within the next six years.

The airline has signed a memorandum of understanding with Riyadh Season season that will see of construction for the new Boulevard Runway zone within Riyadh Calendar.

The innovative zone is expected to offer visitors state-of-the-art experience aboard the airline’s aircraft. Alongside the captivating aviation encounters, the zone will feature a diverse gaming area and an array of cuisine from specialised international restaurants.

“As we aspire to be the catalyst for Saudi Vision 2030, Saudi Airlines is steadfast in aligning our objectives with the Kingdom’s overarching strategy, which targets welcoming 150 million visitors to Saudi Arabia by 2030.” He further highlighted that the collaborative efforts between Saudi Airlines and its partners will play a pivotal role in advancing the goals of the travel and tourism sector,” said Ibrahim Koshy, Saudi Airlines Chief Executive Officer.

PHOTO | Courtesy

Through the deal, the airline seeks to elevate its service quality and luxury standards and promote sustainability within the aviation sector.

Similarly, the airline singed another MoU with the Oil Park Development Company (OPDC), a subsidiary of the Public Investment Fund and the visionary developer behind the “THE RIG” project, the world’s inaugural adventure tourism destination.

“We eagerly anticipate leveraging our collective expertise in partnership with our collaborators to foster innovation and sustainable development within this vital sector,” added Koshy.

The deal with OPDC sets the stage for heightened cooperation across various domains, encompassing advancements in air transportation methodologies, such as integrating electric aircraft and helicopters.

“The RIG destination draws inspiration from Saudi Vision 2030 and its ambitious initiatives to develop the tourism sector. Envisioned as one of the foremost adventure tourism destinations, it promises to deliver an unparalleled array of adventure experiences to visitors. Through our collaboration with Saudi Airlines, we anticipate elevating the quality and uniqueness of our offerings while also providing convenient and accessible travel options for visitors seeking to explore this distinctive tourist destination,” added Raed Bakhrji, OPDC CEO.

Additionally, the MoU is expected to strengthen the two firms shared commitment to carbon reduction initiatives, aligning closely with the sustainability objectives championed by both parties.

By Ronald Owili