Japan hopes to attract more Saudi travelers through exhibitions in Kingdom

Japan hopes to attract more Saudi travelers through exhibitions in Kingdom
People visit Sensoji Temple in Tokyo on March 19, 2024. (AFP)
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Updated 06 January 2025
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Japan hopes to attract more Saudi travelers through exhibitions in Kingdom

Japan hopes to attract more Saudi travelers through exhibitions in Kingdom

DUBAI: As Japan and Saudi Arabia approach their 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations, the Japan National Tourism Office is planning more exhibitions to attract Saudi travelers, the organization’s Dubai executive director Daisuke Kobayashi said.

Kobayashi told Arab News Japan that JNTO hopes to maintain “strong partnerships” with local travel agencies and related organizations.

“Through these collaborations, we aim to deliver more comprehensive and engaging information to Saudi travelers, encouraging them to discover the unique experiences Japan has to offer,” he said.

There are as yet no plans to open a JNTO office in Saudi Arabia, Kobayashi said. However, he confirmed that the organization will continue its promotional activities in the Kingdom to meet the growing interest in Japan from Saudi travelers.

In December 2024, JNTO held its first event in Riyadh, titled “Feel Your Four Seasons.”

The exhibition provided visitors with an introduction to Japan’s diverse seasonal attractions, including luxury travel experiences.

Kobayashi told Arab News Japan that since the event, JNTO had observed a “significant increase in Saudi travelers’ interest in visiting Japan.”

“During the event, we noted a strong desire among attendees to travel to Japan, particularly in the spring to experience cherry blossoms,” he said. “We also noticed growing curiosity about Japan’s summer and winter offerings. Visitors showed interest in natural landscapes, summer festivals, and winter activities such as enjoying snow-covered scenery.”

Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai in April is also a big tourist attraction for Saudi and GCC travelers.

According to Kobayashi, travelers from the region are usually most interested in traditional Japanese accommodations such as ryokan (Japanese-style inns), which often include onsen (hot spring) experiences and authentic Japanese cuisine.

Anime and manga’s popularity in the Middle East is also a key reason why Arab travelers choose Japan for a vacation.

From a cultural aspect, Kobayashi said that Japanese and Arab cultures share similar values, which can help to put Saudi travelers at ease.

“The cultural parallels create a sense of familiarity and comfort for travelers from Saudi Arabia and the broader GCC region when visiting Japan,” he said. “Whether it’s exploring Japan’s traditional tea ceremonies, staying in ryokan, or simply interacting with the warm and respectful Japanese hospitality, these experiences resonate deeply with visitors from Saudi Arabia.”

According to Kobayashi, in the first half of 2024, there was a 72.2 percent increase in visitors from Saudi Arabia to Japan, compared with the same period in 2023.


Expo 2025 Saudi pavilion launches tour of 7 Japanese cities

Expo 2025 Saudi pavilion launches tour of 7 Japanese cities
Updated 13 February 2025
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Expo 2025 Saudi pavilion launches tour of 7 Japanese cities

Expo 2025 Saudi pavilion launches tour of 7 Japanese cities

RIYADH: With two months to go until Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, the Saudi Pavilion is launching a tour of seven Japanese cities that offers an immersive experience for those interested in exploring Saudi culture.

The initiative will allow the Japanese community and tourists to experience Saudi hospitality, reported the Saudi Press Agency.

Saudi Arabian Ambassador to Japan Ghazi Faisal Binzagr, who is also general commissioner for the Kingdom’s pavilion at Expo 2025, said: “People can connect with Saudi culture through these tours,” adding it would an opportunity for an authentic experience.

Starting in Osaka on Feb. 15-16, the tour will visit Kyoto on Feb. 17, Kobe from Feb. 22-23, Hiroshima from Feb. 24, Fukuoka from March 1-2, Nagoya from March 3 and Tokyo from March 8-9.

Expo 2025 opens on April 13, when the full Saudi Pavilion experience will be available.

This article originally appeared on Arab News Japan


Natural and historical allure of Al-Baha’s heritage villages

Natural and historical allure of Al-Baha’s heritage villages
Updated 13 February 2025
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Natural and historical allure of Al-Baha’s heritage villages

Natural and historical allure of Al-Baha’s heritage villages
  • Home to centuries-old monuments, the villages have buildings constructed with stone and clay

AL-BAHA: The Al-Baha Region is a unique tourist destination with its rich and diverse cultural heritage, the Saudi Press Agency reported recently.

Home to centuries-old monuments, the villages have buildings constructed with stone and clay in traditional architectural styles.

Two of the most notable heritage villages are Thee Ain and Al-Mousa that are favored by local and international visitors.

During the Al-Baha Winter Festival, the village of Thee Ain comes alive with cultural events that reflect the local heritage.

The village provides comprehensive information on its history and the Al-Baha region.

The region’s intangible heritage includes traditional foods, crafts and performing arts.

For children there are murals and displays offered to provide an engaging learning experience.


Saudi Arabia assumes presidency of global anti-corruption network

Saudi Arabia assumes presidency of global anti-corruption network
Updated 13 February 2025
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Saudi Arabia assumes presidency of global anti-corruption network

Saudi Arabia assumes presidency of global anti-corruption network
  • Spain passes on leadership at UN headquarters in Vienna
  • Saudi Arabia elected network chair for 3-year term in 2024

VIENNA: Saudi Arabia, through its Oversight and Anti-Corruption Authority, or Nazaha, has assumed the presidency of the Global Operational Network of Anti-Corruption Law Enforcement Authorities.

Spain handed over the leadership of the GlobE Network during a ceremony at the UN Office on Drugs and Crime’s headquarters in Vienna, Austria, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday.

Nasser Abaalkhail, Nazaha’s deputy for international collaboration, was installed as chairman of the committee, with Boni de Moraes Soares, Brazil’s national solicitor for international affairs, as vice chair.

Saudi Arabia was unanimously elected to chair the GlobE Network’s steering committee for the 2025 to 2027 term during a high-level meeting last year in Beijing, China.

Its election to lead the international network underscores member states’ recognition of the Kingdom’s commitment to fighting corruption, the SPA reported.

Established in 2021, the GlobE Network includes more than 229 law-enforcement agencies from over 124 countries, as well as numerous international organizations.

Abaalkhail said that Saudi Arabia aims to enhance collaboration among member states to combat corruption in alignment with the UN Convention Against Corruption.

As chair of the network, Saudi Arabia “seeks to create new strategies for asset recovery and initiate a secure communication platform to facilitate quicker and more efficient information exchange among member states,” Abaalkhail said in a statement carried by the SPA.

“This will enhance international cooperation and empower governments to tackle emerging challenges in combating corruption, refine asset recovery processes, and more effectively trace illicit funds across borders,” he said.

Since its creation, the network has had a positive impact on the efforts of members to combat cross-border corruption.

During a recent meeting of the network, representatives from Azerbaijan, Brazil, Chile, China, the European Public Prosecutor’s Office, and Indonesia shared insights on various cross-border investigations.

This included joint efforts to uncover embezzlement of EU grant funds, the use of the network’s Secure Communication Platform to advance investigations, as well as operations targeting large-scale fraud involving value-added tax.

The participants also highlighted examples of swift action in asset recovery, successful extraditions, and effective collaboration between agencies to track and freeze offshore assets obtained through corruption, according to the network’s website.

Nazaha has taken considerable strides in combatting corruption in the Kingdom since its creation in 2016.

During December 2024, the authority arrested 145 citizens and residents — among them government employees — accused of various crimes including bribery and abuse of authority.


Saudi foreign minister discusses regional developments with French counterpart in Paris

Saudi foreign minister discusses regional developments with French counterpart in Paris
Updated 13 February 2025
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Saudi foreign minister discusses regional developments with French counterpart in Paris

Saudi foreign minister discusses regional developments with French counterpart in Paris
  • Prince Faisal headed the Saudi delegation at the AI Action Summit in the French capital this week

RIYADH: The Saudi minister of foreign affairs, Prince Faisal bin Farhan, held talks in Paris on Wednesday with his French counterpart, Jean-Noel Barrot.

They discussed recent developments in the Middle East and efforts to achieve security and peace in the region, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Fahd Al-Ruwaili, the Saudi ambassador to France, and Prince Musab bin Mohammed Al-Farhan, political advisor to the foreign minister, also attended the meeting.

Prince Faisal headed the Kingdom’s delegation at the AI Action Summit in the French capital on Monday and Tuesday. More than a thousand representatives of the private sector and civil society from nearly 100 countries attended the event.
 


Madinah governor receives Palestine envoy

Madinah governor receives Palestine envoy
Updated 12 February 2025
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Madinah governor receives Palestine envoy

Madinah governor receives Palestine envoy

Madinah Gov. Prince Salman bin Sultan met with Palestine’s Ambassador to the Kingdom Mazen Ghoneim on Wednesday.

During the meeting in Madinah, the two officials discussed topics of mutual interest, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia’s Ambassador to Mauritius Fayez Altemyat met with the nation’s Health and Wellness Minister Anil Kumar Bachoo in Port Louis.

They discussed ways to boost ties and topics of common interest.