RIYADH: Italians’ interest in traveling to Saudi Arabia is increasing, as the Kingdom continues its efforts to boost tourism flows, while work is underway to explore opportunities for intensifying direct flights between the two sides.
This was confirmed by Italian Tourism Minister Daniela Santanche to Al-Eqtisadiah on the sidelines of her participation in the events of the TOURISE 2025 forum in Riyadh.
Santanche said: “Saudi Arabia has made significant progress in diversifying its tourism offerings and improving its infrastructure, making it an attractive destination for international visitors.”
She emphasized that tourism exchange programs between the two countries could enhance cultural ties and encourage visitor flows.
The Italian Minister also mentioned that the Italian side is working with the national carrier ITA Airways to explore opportunities to enhance direct air connectivity with Saudi Arabia to accommodate tourist flows in both directions.
Steady growth in Saudi-Italian relations
Relations between Saudi Arabia and Italy are witnessing steady growth, with the trade volume between the two countries reaching €966 million ($1.11 billion) in the first half of this year, and tourism flows recording a significant increase.
More than 322,000 Saudi tourists visited Italy last year, a 65 percent increase year on- ear, spending more than half a billion euros, according to the Italian Minister.
Participation in the forum provided an opportunity for leading Italian companies to showcase what they have, “creating favorable conditions for mutual investment and further enhancing relations between the two countries,” as confirmed by Santanche.
The Minister added: “We are actively working to promote cooperation between Italy and Saudi Arabia. The participation of Italian companies in the ‘TOURISE’ initiative is an important step in this direction.”
Many Italian tourism companies are currently operating in Saudi Arabia “and are ready to cooperate with their Saudi counterparts to develop new opportunities,” according to Santanche, who confirmed that facilitating the entry of Gulf Cooperation Council citizens, led by Saudis, into EU countries is an important factor for increasing current tourism flows.
In April of last year, the European Commission adopted a historic decision to grant GCC citizens five-year multiple-entry Schengen visas.
Saudis currently account for 60 percent of the Schengen visas granted to the Gulf countries combined, amounting to 470,888 visas, as previously reported by the EU press office in the Belgian capital Brussels to Al-Eqtisadiah.
An Italian vision on tourism and artificial intelligence
During the forum, Santanche presented Italy's vision on tourism and artificial intelligence, focusing on the pivotal role of the human element in managing innovations.
She highlighted the importance of tourism as an economic, cultural, and social driver, emphasizing the need to regulate the use of emerging technologies to ensure maximum benefit without compromising the tourist experience.
Regarding Saudi Arabia, she said: “Practical cooperation can be achieved by maintaining active international relations through Italian companies operating in Saudi Arabia and facilitating potential Saudi investments in Italy.”
While describing the tourism sector in Saudi Arabia as “very important and positive,” she pointed out that Italy has a long tradition in hospitality and the management of historical and cultural destinations, saying: “We can make a significant contribution by exchanging our expertise and best practices in promoting cultural heritage and creating unique and attractive tourist experiences.”
