Saudi Seasons turbocharges tourism in the Kingdom

Saudi Seasons turbocharges tourism in the Kingdom

The Saudi Arabian tourism industry has seen explosive growth in recent years – and it is no surprise. After opening its doors to visitors from around the world in 2019 thanks to the new e-visa programme, tourists have flooded in to explore what Saudi Arabia has to offer. In fact, the Kingdom aims to exceed 70 million tourist visits in 2022 after drawing 62 million last year. According to Saudi Tourism CEO Fahd Hamidaddin, visits were up 130% in the first quarter of 2022 compared with the last quarter of 2019. International superstars such as football star Lionel Messi have even become brand ambassadors for Saudi Tourism. Aside from mega-projects such as Qiddiya and Ad Diriyah that are springing up across Saudi Arabia, one of the most successful initiatives that is contributing to Saudi tourism industry’s success is Saudi Seasons. The initiative, which allows residents and visitors alike to experience what Saudi Arabia’s diverse cities have to offer, is taking the Kingdom by storm. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, in 2019, there were eleven Seasons throughout the country, including in Riyadh, Jeddah, Eastern Province and Taif. Take Jeddah Season which recently kicked off on 2 May 2022 after a two-year hiatus