Visa, a global leader in digital payments, has agreed to collaborate and explore solutions that would improve the tourist journey and promote Saudi Arabia's tourism sector with the Saudi Tourism Authority (STA).
As part of the agreement, the two parties will establish a framework for collaboration to establish the region's first Tourism Data Lab, which will provide data-driven insights into travel and tourism trends, allowing STA, Visa, and all industry stakeholders to make informed decisions to support the Saudi government's tourism ambitions.
Visa and STA will also look into options to deploy Visa's digital payment solutions and exclusive packages in Saudi Arabia to improve the experience of Visa cardholders and tourists. The packages for easy payments and value deals will be finalised in cooperation with appropriate authorities in order to promote the Saudi tourism sector.
The Memorandum of Understanding was signed in Dubai at the Arabian Travel Market 2023, the leading global event for the Middle East's inbound and outbound travel industries, by Walter Lironi, Visa SVP for Visa Consulting and Analytics for CEMEA, and Abdulkarim Aldarwish, Saudi Tourism Authority's President of MEA Markets.
Commenting on the partnership, Walter Lironi, Visa’s SVP for Visa Consulting and Analytics for CEMEA region, said: “Saudi Arabia is fast emerging as tourism hub with diverse and enriching experiences awaiting visitors. The industry is also a pivotal pillar in achieving the goals of Saudi Vision 2030 to diversify the economy and create new job opportunities. We are therefore pleased to enter into this partnership with STA to explore multiple pathways we can enhance the tourism experience of visitors to Saudi Arabia and support the government’s tourism ambitions.”