BUSINESS

Saudi Tourism Minister Pushes for Visa-Free Travel With China

By Sun Yanran and Wang Xintong

Published: Nov. 1, 2024 2:25 p.m. GMT+8

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Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Tourism Ahmed Al Khateeb (third from left), China’s Vice Minister of Culture and Tourism and Director of the State Administration of Cultural Heritage Li Qun (second from left) and other officials attend the opening ceremony of the Temple of Heaven Park in Beijing on Oct. 18. Photo: Xinhua

Saudi Arabia’s tourism minister suggests Beijing and Riyadh could do more to enable visa-free travel as the oil-rich country looks to make Chinese visitors central to its plan for tourism to become a much bigger part of its economy.

The two governments should further relax visa requirements, Ahmed Al Khateeb said in an Oct. 17 interview during a trip to China. Al Khateeb called on the two governments to discuss how to make it possible for their citizens to travel to each other’s countries without a visa.

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Saudi Arabia aims to increase Chinese tourism as part of its Vision 2030 strategy to diversify its economy, with 145,000 Chinese tourists visiting so far this year, a 29% increase from last year.
The country seeks visa-free travel arrangements between Saudi Arabia and China, intending to draw 5 million Chinese tourists by 2030.
Efforts are underway to expand direct flights and address language barriers, with tourism expected to contribute 10% to GDP and employment by 2030.

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Who’s Who

Saudia: Saudia is the national flag carrier of Saudi Arabia. It offers Chinese tourists flying via Saudi Arabia the option of a free transit visa, allowing them to stay in the kingdom for up to 96 hours. This benefit is available as long as they choose to fly with Saudia.

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