PUTRAJAYA, Aug 29 – Saudi Arabia is now extending its welcome beyond religious visits, inviting Malaysians to explore the Kingdom as one of the fastest-growing tourism destinations in the world.
Saudi Tourism Authority (STA) President for Asia-Pacific Markets, Alhasan Al-Dabbagh, said Saudi Arabia is now offering a diverse array of attractions as it has gone through a major transformation and invested in infrastructure as well as created a calendar of events throughout the year.
“Millions of Malaysians who come to Saudi Arabia to perform Hajj and Umrah, have always been welcome on their spiritual journey. But now Saudi Arabia is also a tourism destination.
“There is a lot that we can offer now. We have a very rich culture and heritage, so there are a lot of monuments. We have eight UNESCO World Heritage sites in Saudi Arabia,” he told reporters at the launching of the Saudi Travel Fair hosted by the STA at IOI Mall here yesterday.
The five-day inaugural fair which started yesterday, features over 13 top Malaysian travel agencies showcasing numerous tourist and cultural attractions in Saudi Arabia.
Alhasan said Malaysia was one of the countries eligible for e-visa, making it easier than ever for Malaysians to visit Saudi Arabia, with travelers able to obtain their visa online in minutes.
He said the 96-hour Stopover Visa was also a great offer for travelers to enjoy a stay of up to 96 hours in the Kingdom.
