Saudi Arabia Elevates Tourism Goals with India in Focus

05-04-24

In a strategic move to boost international tourism, Saudi Arabia is streamlining its visa procedures for Indian nationals, introducing convenient options like e-visa and visa-on-arrival facilities. This initiative has already borne fruit, as the kingdom witnessed an impressive 50% surge in Indian tourists in 2023. Motivated by this success, Saudi Arabia is ambitiously targeting 7.5 million Indian visitors within the next seven years, aiming to position India as its foremost source market.

The Saudi Tourism Authority (STA) is actively engaging with the Indian market through a series of networking events across key Indian cities, including Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, and Delhi, collaborating closely with travel trade associations to foster tourism growth.

In 2023, the kingdom enjoyed a remarkable increase in Indian tourist arrivals, with 1.5 million visitors marking a significant uptick from the previous year. Enhanced air connectivity has played a pivotal role, with a 31% increase in flights between the two countries from 2019 to 2023, now connecting 12 major Indian cities with Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam.

To further bolster tourism, the STA has inked several partnerships with tour operators, travel trade associations, and event planners, underscoring the kingdom's commitment to making travel for Indian tourists as seamless as possible.

Indian Hospitality and Aviation Sector Flourishes

The Indian Hotels Company (IHCL), known for its prestigious Taj Hotels, demonstrated remarkable growth in the 2023-24 financial year, inaugurating 34 new hotels and signing agreements for 52 properties. This expansion brings the IHCL portfolio to over 300 properties, including 91 in the development phase, showcasing a diverse offering from luxury to budget accommodations.

Akasa Air, a burgeoning budget airline, has recently expanded into international skies with its inaugural flight from Mumbai to Doha, signaling the start of its ambitions to connect India with key global destinations, including Kuwait, Jeddah, and Riyadh.

Meanwhile, IndiGo, India's largest airline, is expanding its domestic footprint, launching operations in Jagdalpur, Chhattisgarh, and connecting Bengaluru with the picturesque Agatti Island in the Lakshadweep archipelago, further enhancing its network to 88 domestic destinations.

India's Aviation Industry Poised for Growth

The Indian aviation sector is on an upward trajectory, with a projected 10.5% increase in seat capacity in the second quarter of 2024, according to OAG. This growth not only surpasses last year's figures but also represents a significant recovery from pre-pandemic levels, positioning India as a key player in global aviation.

Canberra Welcomes Indian Tourists

India emerged as the fourth-largest international tourism market for Canberra, Australia, in 2023, with the number of Indian visitors exceeding pre-pandemic levels. This surge in tourism is attributed to the growing middle class in India and enhanced direct air connectivity between the two nations, spotlighting the potential of the Indian market in global tourism.