Move over, Great Wall—Saudi Arabia is rolling out the #SaudiTravelFestival in Beijing to showcase its ancient wonders and modern vibes! The kingdom’s Tourism Minister Ahmed Al-Khateeb kicked off the event at Tiantan Park (aka the Temple of Heaven) on Thursday, blending Arabian flair with a splash of Beijing buzz.
Think virtual reality tours of Riyadh’s futuristic skylines, hands-on workshops for traditional Arabic calligraphy, and live performances of the mesmerizing 'Ardah' dance. 'We’re building bridges through culture,' Al-Khateeb said, highlighting Saudi Arabia’s push to welcome 1.5 million Chinese visitors by 2030 under its Vision 2030 economic plan.
Why China? With over 100 million outbound Chinese tourists annually, Saudi is tapping into a mega-market craving new adventures. The festival also aims to spotlight lesser-known UNESCO sites like Al-Ula’s rock-carved tombs—perfect for Instagram’s #Wanderlust crowd.
This isn’t just tourism—it’s diplomacy with a hashtag! As cross-cultural exchanges heat up, expect more pop-up events in Shanghai and Guangzhou soon. Ready to swap dumplings for dates?
Reference(s):
Saudi Arabia launches tourism festival in Beijing to attract visitors
cgtn.com