BEIJING: In a significant development, Saudi Arabia officially received Approved Destination Status (ADS) from China, marking a pivotal milestone in the bilateral relationship between the two countries.
The signing ceremony took place in Beijing and was attended by Saudi Arabia’s Ambassador to China Abdulrahman Al-Harbi, CEO of the Saudi Tourism Authority Fahd Hamidaddin, and Vice Minister of Culture and Tourism of China Du Jiang.
The securing of ADS status paves the way for Chinese citizens to explore Saudi Arabia through group tours, simplifying access to the Kingdom. This achievement holds great importance for Saudi Arabia as it is expected to strengthen connectivity between the Kingdom and China while creating new opportunities in the tourism sector.
This announcement follows continued efforts to enhance ties between the two countries, including the successful Arab-China Business Conference and the Saudi-China Roadshow earlier this year, demonstrating Saudi Arabia’s commitment to becoming a vital economic and strategic partner to China.
Saudi Arabia and China Unlocking Opportunities
Saudi Tourism Minister Ahmed Al-Khateeb commented on this development, stating, “China and Saudi Arabia are unlocking limitless opportunities and driving forward mutually beneficial collaboration, underpinned by China’s Belt and Road Initiative and Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030.” He added, “The ADS status is expected to significantly boost inbound travel from China, creating greater ease of access needed to reach Saudi Arabia’s target of attracting 3 million Chinese tourists by 2030.”
Vice Minister Du Jiang expressed his delight at the ADS agreement, highlighting the shared vision and appreciation for each other’s cultures, fostering mutual understanding and respect. Fahd Hamidaddin, CEO of the Saudi Tourism Authority, emphasized the foundation provided by the ADS status, facilitating the expansion of air connectivity and streamlining visa services for Chinese travelers.
Saudi Arabia had previously launched direct flights between Jeddah, Riyadh, and Beijing, as well as daily flights from Guangzhou, indicating the increasing demand for connectivity. The Approved Destination Status achievement is poised to open doors for further collaboration with China, strengthen partnerships, and enhance payment solutions for Chinese visitors, including UnionPay.
China has also been included in Saudi Arabia’s e-visa and visa-on-arrival programs, along with complementary hotel stays when flying with Saudia as part of Saudi Arabia’s 96-hour Stopover Visa program. This development underscores the growing cooperation between Saudi Arabia and China and the shared commitment to fostering meaningful collaboration.
