Saudi Tourism Authority’s Asia-Pacific
(APAC) markets president Alhasan Aldabbagh said foraying into the Indian market
is the ‘biggest ambition’ of Saudi Arabia and his country has big plans in that
regard.
“Our biggest ambition or expectations
are around the Indian market. This country is home to a large urban market and
it’s growing as one of the fastest emerging destinations today. We have big
plans for the Indian market,” he said in Mumbai on Wednesday.
“Last year, we welcomed 1 million Indian
visitors to Saudi and I’m glad to say that this year, the number of Indian
visitors to Saudi has grown by more than 50 per cent. By 2030, our target is to
attract 7.5 million visitors from Bharat to Saudi,” he added.
His remarks coincided with the ongoing Bharat
visit by the Saudi Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Tawfiq bin Fawzan Al-Rabiah that
began on Monday.
His official visit to Bharat is part of
a series of international tours aimed at showcasing Saudi Arabia’s unwavering
commitment to serving Umrah pilgrims.
This visit also aims to achieve
significant advancements in streamlining procedures, strengthening services,
and outlining comprehensive plans for hosting pilgrims and Umrah visitors,
aligning closely with the outlined objectives of “Saudi Vision 2030”.
Speaking to reporters, the Saudi
Minister of Hajj and Umrah said, “We are here to make it easier for Muslims in Bharat
to go to Mecca and Medina and have a great experience doing Umrah and visit Al
Medina.”
This visit aims to achieve significant
advancements in streamlining procedures, enhancing services, and outlining
comprehensive plans for hosting pilgrims and Umrah visitors, aligning closely
with the outlined objectives of ‘Saudi Vision 2030’.
ANI
