Choon Yang Quek, Chief Technology Officer, Saudi Tourism Authority and Alhasan Aldabbagh, President of APAC Markets at Saudi Tourism Authority. Image Courtesy: Saudi Tourism Authority

The Saudi Tourism Authority (STA) is extending its strategic partnership with Huawei Mobile Services (HMS) and Petal Ads, HMS’s advertising division, in order to improve travelers’ experiences and increase Chinese travel to Saudi Arabia by developing a more intelligent and immersive travel environment. Through expanded digitization of travel services, the alliance seeks to fundamentally alter how visitors experience the nation, with a particular focus on luring Chinese visitors to the Kingdom.

During the Approved Destination Status (ADS) launch event held in Beijing, Huawei Mobile Services (HMS) and the Saudi Tourism Authority signed a memorandum of understanding. The MOU was signed by Mr. Walter Ji Rengui, President of Huawei Consumer Cloud Service Global Ecosystem Development & Operations, and Mr. Fahd M. Hamidaddin, CEO of the Saudi Tourism Authority. The agreement’s signing demonstrates the parties’ ongoing cooperation and shared commitment to promoting Saudi Arabia as a distinctive and exciting travel destination to Chinese audiences.

Choon Yang Quek, Chief Technology Officer, Saudi Tourism Authority said, “The partnership with Huawei Mobile Services (HMS) and Petal Ads is part of Saudi’s wider novel approach to marketing tourism and travel experiences that transform the visitor experience. Huawei has a deep connection with its consumers, which combined with Saudi’s dedication to visitor experiences, we are now able to reach new audiences more effectively via established Huawei channels and tap into new insights on Chinese travelers to better tailor their journey in Saudi.”

Alhasan Aldabbagh, President of APAC Markets at Saudi Tourism Authority said, “We are thrilled to partner with Huawei Mobile Services (HMS) and Petal Ads to enhance the travel experience of tourists visiting Saudi. By making Huawei’s cutting-edge technology an integral part of the travel experience, we can tap into established channels to reach a much wider audience and develop a deeper understanding of potential visitors. Through this partnership, we are reaffirming our commitments set out under Vision 2030 and are delivering tailored and custom experiences for Chinese travelers.”

Mr. Walter Ji Rengui, President, Consumer BG, Global Ecosystem Development and Operations Department, said, “We are delighted to partner with the Saudi Tourism Authority in this exciting collaboration. By integrating our advanced technology solutions, we aim to provide tourists visiting Saudi with an enhanced and seamless travel experience. This partnership reflects our commitment to innovation and our dedication to transforming the tourism industry for the better.”

Visitors to Saudi Arabia will have a smarter travel experience and access to a variety of cutting-edge tools and applications by integrating Huawei Mobile Services’ cutting-edge technological solutions. This partnership intends to make sure that visitors can make the most of their time while traveling, from simple navigation and language translation services to augmented reality-guided tours.

Through this groundbreaking collaboration, the Saudi Tourism Authority seeks to leverage cutting-edge technology to offer tourists an unparalleled experience while showcasing the rich cultural heritage, breathtaking landscapes, and warm hospitality that Saudi has to offer. It further represents Saudi’s commitment to deliver tailored and seamless experiences for Chinese visitors with accessible support available throughout the duration of the visitor journey.

In partnership with Petal Ads, the Saudi Tourism Authority (STA) is making substantial efforts to welcome an increasing number of Chinese tourists to explore the beauty and wonder of Saudi. The collaboration includes targeted marketing campaigns across various platforms to raise awareness about the diverse tourist attractions and unique experiences the country has to offer to the Chinese audience.

Additionally, VIP guests from the Saudi Tourism Authority (STA) took part in the VIP panel discussion at the HDC ‘Together 2023 in China’ to deepen ties with China and showcase Saudi as a prime tourist destination. The panel discussion aimed to emphasize the shared advantages of tourism cooperation between the two countries and investigate fresh opportunities for intercultural communication.