India, July 1 -- Saudi Arabia is rapidly strengthening its

position as a leading destination for Chinese travellers, as new research from

Dragon Trail International, a research partner of WTM Spotlight Riyadh, highlights

the Kingdom's growing appeal among one of the world's most influential outbound

tourism markets.

Saudi Arabia's Rise with Chinese Travellers

- Approved Destination Status (ADS) granted in July 2024 -> allows official Chinese group travel.

- Vision 2030 target: 150 million annual visitors by 2030, with tourism as a major GDP driver.

- China-ready measures: Mandarin signage, tailored tourism products, expanded payment systems, and direct flight growth since 2023.

Connectivity

- 91% increase in flights between Greater China and Saudi Arabia in 2025 vs 2024.

- Carriers: Saudia, China Southern, China Eastern, Hainan Airlines, Air China.

- Routes include Riyadh-Beijing, Shenzhen, Shanghai, Guangzhou; Beijing-Dammam; Haikou-Jeddah.

Traveller Preferences

- Rising demand for independent travel, immersive cultural experiences, luxury stays, family travel, and digital connectivity.

- Chinese visitors seek authenticity, accessibility, safety, and premium service standards-areas where Saudi Arabia is investing heavily.

WTM Spotlight Riyadh (8-10 Sept 2026)

- Venue: Riyadh Front Exhibition & Conference Center.

- Expected: 300+ exhibitors, 7,000+ attendees, 150 hosted buyers.

- Focus: Connecting Saudi Arabia's tourism ecosystem with global travel leaders, airlines, hospitality, and tech providers.

Outlook

- Leisure spend by Chinese visitors in the Middle East projected to rise 130% from 2024 to 2030 (ATM Travel Trends Report).

- Strong bilateral relations and cultural curiosity are driving both inbound Chinese travel to Saudi Arabia and outbound Saudi travel to China.

This positions Saudi Arabia as one of the fastest-emerging destinations in the MENA region for Chinese outbound tourism, with infrastructure and policy aligning closely to traveler expectations.

Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Travel Media.