SAUDIA contributes to KSA’s tourism drive

SAUDIA is setting the pace to welcome different types of travelers to the kingdom, apart from the general tourists, sports tourism is a key area pursued by the airline, says Ibrahim Binaquil, Advisor, Corporate Marketing & Communications, SAUDIA, while speaking to TRAVTALK about the airline’s role in contributing to drive the sports sector.

Shehara Rizly

How is SAUDIA contributing for developing sports tourism in KSA?

Sports Tourism is one of the biggest growing sectors. It brings fans from across the world for events rooted in multiculturism, unity and celebration. We have created key partnerships and sponsorships with globally popular and acclaimed sporting events to Saudi Arabia. This process aims to amplify KSA as a destination for sports tourism and a hub for games and matches. Our ambassadors reflect these values as well. We have officially announced Formula E champion Stoffel Vandoorne as our ambassador for Season 9 of the Championship; this partnership builds on shared values of progress, sustainability, innovation, and bringing the world together for exhilarating motorsports.

Is SAUDIA ready to welcome the influx of tourists to the kingdom?

Absolutely. Saudia Arabia is a relatively undiscovered destination in the industry, and that is what is so exciting. We have some of the world’s most beautiful landscapes, an incredible heritage, culture, and first-class service. We have seen post-pandemic travel trends that global travelers are looking for adventure, and the KSA has it all. We are excited to be at the forefront of this development, to be able to transport travelers from across the world to the KSA and back.

Since seamless travel is looked forward to by all travelers, how does SAUDIA move forward with this?

SAUDIA is committed to progress and innovation. We listen to what the consumer needs and we reflect these demands in our product, our routes, and our services. For example, our commitment to sustainability is in line with what today’s traveler is looking for. We are committed to decarbonisation, and ferrying guests to a sustainable destination and trailblazer for regenerative tourism.

Sustainability is a big drive across the GCC. How is the airline working towards it?

Sustainability is important to SAUDIA, and we are committed to aligning ourselves with the KSA’s efforts and goals. For example, last year SAUDIA operated the world’s longest net positive flight. The airline offset a total of 346 tons of CO2 emissions for commercial passenger flight, SV227, from Jeddah to Madrid thus making the flight net positive. The journey contained the world’s first in-flight sustainability lab, where passengers gave ideas on how air travel can become ‘greener’. In honour of the 2022 London ePrix, the airways offset the emissions from the whole weekend of scheduled flights from Riyadh and Jeddah to London Heathrow to amplify the airline’s commitment to a greener future. We are always listening to what customers are looking for. It is important for our team to meet the customers’ demands and needs throughout the journey.