Saudi Arabia and Japan Strengthen Ties in Tourism at Osaka Expo

In a groundbreaking meeting held on August 27, 2025, Japanese Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, Hiroyuki Nakano, and Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Tourism, Ahmed Al-Khateeb, reaffirmed the strong partnership between the two nations primarily focusing on tourism collaboration. On the occasion of the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Saudi Arabia and Japan, both ministers discussed strategies under the "Japan-Saudi Vision 2030" initiative, emphasizing innovation, sustainable tourism, and human resource development.

Successful Participation at Osaka Expo

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia pavilion has witnessed an impressive milestone by surpassing 2 million visitors, making it one of the most attractive pavilions at the Osaka-Kansai Expo. During this event, Minister Al-Khateeb extended a formal invitation to Minister Nakano for the upcoming 26th UNWTO General Assembly and the inaugural TOURISE Summit scheduled to take place in Riyadh from November 7 to 11, 2025.

Al-Khateeb expressed his sentiments stating:
"As we celebrate the 70th anniversary of our friendly relations this year, we take pride in taking the next step together to shape the future of global tourism. We warmly welcome our Japanese partners to the UNWTO General Assembly and TOURISE in Riyadh. By leveraging advanced technology and cultural exchange, we are confident that we can create a lasting impact for our people and the world. Japan's leadership in innovation and hospitality will be the foundation of the vision we shape together."

Innovative Structures and Events

Minister Al-Khateeb initiated his visit starting from Osaka, where he led a delegation to the Osaka-Kansai Expo, welcoming Japanese government officials and industry leaders at the Saudi pavilion. This pavilion not only showcases Saudi Arabia's rich cultural heritage but also utilizes cutting-edge green technologies for its construction. Here, multiple industry networking events and receptions took place to promote the new global tourism platform "TOURISE," which encourages joint collaboration among government bodies, businesses, and innovators to shape the future of the tourism industry.

Japan has been invited as a founding partner of TOURISE, paving the way for sharing technological and design insights that could guide the platform's direction effectively. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in 2023 and recent high-level exchanges underline both countries' commitment to prioritizing joint initiatives in smart tourism, talent development, and innovation.

Looking Towards a Bright Future

Saudi Arabia aims to attract 150 million annual visitors by 2030 under its Vision 2030, offering rich cultural heritage and world-class hospitality alongside unique experiences from grand projects such as NEOM and the Red Sea Project. Recent improvements in visa processes and expansions in travel networks have significantly enhanced Saudi Arabia's attractiveness as a travel destination for Japanese tourists seeking essential experiences, showcasing UNESCO World Heritage sites such as Al-Ula and Diriyah, modern urban features, and beautiful coastlines.

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is excited to host Japanese policymakers, business leaders, and travelers at the first UNWTO General Assembly and the initial TOURISE Summit, aimed at collaboratively building the next era of global tourism in Riyadh in November 2025.