JEDDAH: A Saudi tourism exhibition in Shanghai was the site of a touching moment when a Chinese visitor exchanged a 15-year-old pin he had collected at the Saudi pavilion Expo 2010.
In a gesture that deeply moved organizers, he offered the pin as his “old memory” in exchange for one of the Saudi Land exhibit’s Pang Pang Panda destination pins.
The moment resonated with staff and guests, embodying the emotional impact of cultural exchange.
Abdullah Al-Dakhil, spokesperson for the Saudi Tourism Authority, told Arab News: “Discovering that the visitor had kept a Saudi pin for 15 years, and was willing to part with it as his ‘old memory,’ was both surprising and deeply meaningful.
“He viewed the exchange as an opportunity to express his long-standing connection to Saudi Arabia.
“In recognition of that gesture, he was gifted the full six-pin collection, allowing him to leave with a complete set and a new memory that will stay with him for years to come.”
A dedicated pins wall invited guests to exchange a personal item such as a pin, keychain, or small keepsake, following the concept “share an old memory and build a new one with Saudi.”
The exchange transformed each collectible into a meaningful moment that blended personal stories with a shared cultural experience.
This year featured a limited-edition collection of six Pang Pang Panda pins, each released on a different day of the event.
Only 1,000 of each design were issued, making them highly sought after by collectors.
Each pin captures the character Pang Pang Panda exploring Saudi Arabia’s most famous destinations, from the ancient wonders of AlUla and the heritage mud-brick lanes of Diriyah, to the vibrant streets of Jeddah’s Al-Balad, the dazzling lights of Boulevard City, and the crystal waters of the Red Sea.
Together, the five destination pins connect like a puzzle, forming Pang Pang Panda’s full Saudi adventure, completed by a special Saudi Arabia centerpiece pin.
“Saudi Land in Shanghai welcomed over 102,000 visitors and generated more than 32 million social interactions across China’s major platforms, clear proof of the market’s growing interest in Saudi Arabia,” Al-Dakhil added.
“This success shows the impact of building experiences shaped by real local insights.
“When a campaign reflects a community’s symbols, behaviors, and cultural preferences, it connects authentically and drives meaningful affinity with the brand.”
