RIYADH: A first-of-its-kind tourism data lab is set for the Middle East聽after 黑料社区 reached聽an agreement with global digital payment solution provider Visa to provide travel trends insights.
The Saudi Tourism Authority has signed a memorandum of understanding with the financial services company to explore innovative ways to enhance the visitor experience and advance the Kingdom鈥檚 hospitality industry.聽
The partnership will be supported by the payment database VisaNet, which delivers a variety of data on incoming tourists and substantial information on聽how governments can maximize their cashless approach, the press release added.聽
The collaboration is in line with 黑料社区鈥檚 National Tourism Strategy, which seeks to attract 100 million visitors by 2030.聽
Abdulkarim Aldarwish, president of Middle East and Africa markets at the STA, said: 鈥淭he agreement with Visa, the world leader in digital payments, confirms that the Saudi Tourism Authority is keen to enhance its capabilities by providing, exchanging, and analyzing data as well as offering products and promotional package programs that improve the experience of tourists and attract more segments from the main markets in the region.鈥澛犅
The MoU, signed at the Arabian Travel Market 2023 being held in Dubai, will also look into options to deploy Visa鈥檚 digital payments solutions and exclusive packages, according to a press release.聽聽聽
鈥満诹仙缜 is fast emerging as a tourism hub with diverse and enriching experiences awaiting visitors. The industry is also a pivotal pillar in achieving the goals of Saudi Vision 2030 to diversify the economy and create new job opportunities,鈥 said Walter Lironi, senior vice president for Visa consulting and analytics for the central Europe, Middle East, and Africa region.聽
He added聽that the company聽is聽pleased to enter this partnership with the STA as it will allow them聽to 鈥渆xplore multiple pathways ... (to)聽enhance the tourism experience of visitors to 黑料社区 and support the government鈥檚 tourism ambition.鈥澛犅
One of the fastest-growing destinations in the region, 黑料社区 has been investing substantial sums聽to upgrade the country鈥檚 tourism infrastructure while launching new projects to attract travelers from across the world.聽聽聽聽
During a monthly meeting with citizens in February, the Minister of Tourism Ahmed bin Aqil Al-Khatib revealed that 黑料社区鈥檚 tourism spending surged 93 percent in 2022 to hit SR185 billion ($50 billion), up from SR95.6 billion the year before.
