News Desk
KARACHI/DUBAI: In the bustling city of Karachi, the Saudi Tourism Authority (STA) orchestrated its first-ever networking event in the country. This aimed to redefine Saudi Arabia as a tourist destination that goes beyond religious journeys and showcased the pristine beauty, cultural diversity, and rich heritage of Saudi Arabia which has opened its doors to the world.
A host of stars graced this occasion with celebrities like Hassan HSY, Faryal Mehmood, Ushna Shah, Faisal Qureshi, Ahsan Khan, Zalay Serhadi and many more. It was not simply a glamorous event; it was a congregation where famous people gathered around tables and genuinely discussed the future of tourism to Saudi with corporate leaders and business influencers to increase the counts from Pakistan.
Amid this glittering ambiance, questionnaires were going into details on Saudi tourism which aimed at addressing concerns about visa policies for tourists and other types of visas available.
Dr. Omar Ayoub, who is the Director at Zamzam.com and a DMC partner of STA, explained passionately what the vision behind this was. “This event, in a nutshell, was about showing Saudi Arabia as a destination that has more to offer than just religious experiences; people need to see the products and experiences that we offer, its culture, acceptance, inclusion diversity in terms of the topography that they have…” It encompasses many different experiences we would like the world to come and see.
In recent months Saudi Arabia has been increasing its tourism numbers through strategic measures such as the relaxation of visa conditions. Those with Umrah visas can now explore the country freely, making the tourist experience better overall, in addition, travelers can now avail a multiple entry tourist visa through the available 5 Tasheer Visa Facilitation Centres, the tourist visa is also valid to perform Umrah. Travelers with valid, US, UK, Schengen Visas can now get a visa on arrival and those travelling via Saudi National Carriers can avail the 96 layover Visa to catch a glimpse of Saudi.
Onwards to future prospects, Saudi Arabia looks forward to several tourism focused ventures including Red Sea development offering high end island beach resorts and inland ones.
The transformational journey also stretches across to Al-Ula where it plans to turn Mada’in Salih’s carved tombs into a global tourist attraction. In line with conserving pre-Islamic archeological sites more broadly.
The evening concluded with a delicious dinner, resulting in a perfect balance of glamour, substance, and the tantalizing promise of a Saudi Arabia waiting to be discovered beyond its religious exterior.
