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In recent years, Saudi Arabia has frequently appeared in the public eye and significantly improved its relations with China after multiple meetings and cooperative announcements in 2023. This has prompted Chinese netizens to comprehensively examine and understand what kind of country Saudi Arabia truly is.

According to the latest official data from Saudi Arabia, the tourism market showed strong momentum in the first half of 2024, with tourist spending increasing by 23% year-on-year, reaching 75 billion Saudi riyals (approximately 19.8 billion US dollars). Additionally, Saudi Arabia's international tourism revenue surged by 46% year-on-year, reaching 24 billion Saudi riyals.

The Saudi government is actively advancing its Vision 2030 economic diversification strategy, viewing tourism as a key pillar. This substantial growth in tourist spending lays a solid foundation for Saudi Arabia to achieve its goal of becoming one of the top ten global tourist destinations.

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The "Travel & Tourism Competitiveness Report 2024" by the World Economic Forum highlights the outstanding performance of the Middle East region in international tourist recovery rates. Saudi Arabia's ranking has risen from 50th place in 2019 to 41st place in 2024, owing to continuous investments in tourism and cultural sites, alongside the gradual resumption of global flights.

Progress in Saudi Arabia's cultural sector has significantly enhanced its tourism industry. Frequent art exhibitions, vibrant entertainment industries, and active participation on international stages like the Oscars and Cannes Film Festival contribute to Saudi Arabia's influence and visibility in the global cultural arena.

The United Nations World Tourism Organization highly praised Saudi Arabia's tourism innovation practices in February this year, noting that Saudi Arabia has achieved its goal of attracting 100 million tourists seven years ahead of schedule. Following this achievement, Saudi Tourism Minister Ahmed Al-Khatib announced plans to further increase this goal to attracting 150 million tourists by the end of the century.

To better cater to Chinese tourists, Saudi Arabia continues to enhance facilities offering Chinese-language services, such as Chinese-speaking guides, Chinese versions of public information, and convenient payment methods preferred by Chinese tourists, ensuring a smooth travel experience in Saudi Arabia.

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Moreover, Saudi Arabia strengthens cooperation with Chinese trade partners and has implemented a series of measures to prepare for Chinese tourists. These include massive investments in international transportation and aviation infrastructure, as well as collaborations with high-quality travel agencies in mainland China to enhance Saudi Arabia's visibility as a tourism destination and increase booking volumes.

"Currently, Saudi Arabia has more than 700 partners in China, offering 32, 29, and 26 tourism products respectively in Shanghai, Beijing, and Guangzhou. Earlier this year, we also held a roadshow in four cities including Beijing, Chengdu, Shanghai, and Guangzhou, introducing Saudi Arabia's leisure tourism resources, warmly welcomed by local businesses. Especially in Shanghai, we hosted the largest-ever marketing event on the Bund, bringing the Saudi market to life and attracting 77,000 visitors in a week, allowing them to experience the authentic atmosphere of traditional Saudi markets and taste delicious cuisines without leaving the country."

These proactive promotional efforts undoubtedly pave the way for Saudi Arabia's tourism development, attracting more Chinese travelers and business investors, and driving sustained prosperity in the tourism and economic industries.