Saudi Arabia, Qatar: Saudi Arabia and Qatar have signed a memorandum of understanding to deepen cooperation and exchange expertise in tourism development, on the sidelines of the UN Tourism General Assembly in Riyadh.

The agreement was signed by Saudi Minister of Tourism Ahmed Al-Khateeb and Saad bin Ali Al-Kharji, chairman of Qatar Tourism, with the goal of exploring joint opportunities, developing innovative initiatives, and driving sustainable growth across the tourism sectors of both nations, according to an official statement.

The partnership comes as Saudi visitors represented nearly a quarter of all tourist arrivals to Qatar in 2024, a Visit Qatar spokesperson told Arab News in January. It also aligns with Qatar’s ongoing efforts to sustain the momentum gained from hosting the FIFA World Cup 2022, which brought millions of international visitors.

Tourism is likewise a cornerstone of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 strategy to diversify the Kingdom’s economy away from oil and foster social transformation. Under the plan, Saudi Arabia aims to attract 150 million visitors annually by 2030, with at least one-third coming from abroad.

According to the joint statement, the MoU seeks to enhance the quality of tourism services, promote sustainability, and support initiatives that highlight the distinctive cultural and natural experiences of both nations. The two sides also plan to collaborate on marketing campaigns and events designed to strengthen their global tourism appeal.