Assalamu Alaikum - Pakistan Event Showcases Saudi Arabia’s New Tourist Spots
Assalamu Alaikum - Aroma Travels held a roadshow in Karachi to introduce Pakistanis to Saudi Arabia’s expanding tourism beyond just Hajj and Umrah.
KARACHI: Aroma Travels organized a corporate roadshow in Karachi to highlight Saudi Arabia’s growing list of destinations and travel options for families, professionals, and pilgrims alike. The event brought together Pakistani and Saudi companies and potential travelers to discuss leisure, business trips, and cultural visits around the Kingdom.
Saudi Arabia has been broadening its economy and tourism under Vision 2030, promoting places like Riyadh, Jeddah, Taif, Qiddiya, AlUla and the Red Sea coast - offering cultural, adventurous and business experiences in addition to religious visits.
The Sindh Provincial Minister Nasir Hussain Shah attended as chief guest, with industrialists, diplomats, officials and corporate clients present, showing stronger business and tourism ties between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia.
Naeem Sharif, chairman of Aroma Group of Companies, said their collaboration with Visit Saudi aims to encourage Pakistani families and corporate travellers to see Saudi Arabia as a destination for leisure, conferences and memorable experiences alongside religious travel.
“Saudi Arabia today offers a unique mix of culture, innovation and natural beauty,” he said, noting their pride in working with Visit Saudi to showcase the Kingdom’s tourism progress.
Riaz Khan, sales manager at the Saudi Tourism Authority’s office in Pakistan, said about 2.7 million passengers traveled from Pakistan to Saudi Arabia last year, making Pakistan one of the Kingdom’s key markets. Since the STA began work in Pakistan, visa rules have been eased and new airlines have improved travel options.
Khan explained that Umrah visa holders can now visit other parts of the country beyond Makkah and Madinah, enter and exit through different airports, and benefit from longer visa durations (extended from one to three months).
Saudi Arabia is home to the two holiest cities, Makkah and Madinah, visited by millions for Hajj and Umrah. With Pakistan’s large Muslim population, the STA expects even more Pakistani visitors this year.
The Karachi roadshow included presentations on new attractions and underscored deepening cultural and travel links. Nadeem Sharif, CEO of Aroma Group, said their partnership with Visit Saudi has grown since it began two years ago and stressed that tourism is becoming a major industry worldwide.
Under Vision 2030, the Saudi Tourism Authority is promoting not just religious tourism but many other destinations that families and professionals may want to explore. The Kingdom is also positioning itself for destination weddings and MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions) events.
Provincial Minister Shah praised the event as proof of growing friendship and cultural cooperation between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia and congratulated Aroma Travels and Visit Saudi for strengthening bilateral tourism and business ties.
A visitor who grew up in Saudi Arabia noted how quickly the country has changed and how many beautiful, lesser-known places there are to discover, adding that women now enjoy greater independence, such as driving their own cars.
Wassalam.
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