The cooperation between the Saudi Tourism Authority (STA) and the TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) has strengthened connections between Saudi Arabia and India and helped to realize the potential of sport and tourism to unite people and improve lives.
Two million Indian tourists are projected to visit Saudi Arabia this year, and by 2030, it is anticipated that India will be the country’s largest source market for tourists.
Saudi funding for Indian sports is a perfect illustration of how market cooperation produces results.
The National Football League and the English Premier League have larger global audiences than the Indian Premier League, which is the most popular sport in India.
Utilizing this fan network, STA hopes to increase interest in Saudi Arabia as a brand-new, exciting year-round travel destination for Indian tourists, particularly young ones. With more than half of both populations under 30, the strategic cooperation is extending how Saudi Arabia and India interact with equally youthful demographics.
Along with the IPL relationship, Saudi is facilitating access for millions of tourists from all around India, encouraging them to visit the real Arabia. Saudi Arabia has established nine VFS Tasheel offices across India, including Hyderabad, Mumbai, Chennai, Kochi, Ahmedabad, and Bengaluru. These offices offer practical assistance to Indian tourists considering trips to Saudi Arabia.
The new Stopover Visa, which was established earlier this year and allows travelers on SAUDIA or Flynas bound for a final destination to visit Saudi Arabia for up to 96 hours while receiving a complimentary hotel night for Saudi passengers, is available to travelers from India. Additionally, Indian citizens with valid passports who have traveled on a UK, US, or Schengen visa at least once can now apply online for a Saudi e-visa.
These changes come after the rapid expansion of air travel between India and the Kingdom, which now has seven direct carriers operating: SAUDIA, Flynas, Air India, Air India Express, Indigo Airlines, Spice Jet, and Vistara. Indigo Airlines also recently opened a route connecting Jeddah and Ahmedabad, which improves accessibility between the two countries. As part of Saudi Arabia’s Air Connectivity Programme, the development will become Riyadh, a major international hub with 120 million passenger capacity within the next seven years.
“Partnerships like the IPL are a key pillar of Saudi’s tourism strategy as they bring fans, athletes, and nations together while igniting curiosity from those that may want to be among the first to visit Saudi as a destination,” said Alhasan Aldabbagh, APAC President at the Saudi Tourism Authority.
Source: travelbizmonitor