Riyadh: Deputy Minister of Tourism, Kostas Koumis, signed a Memorandum of Understanding with his Saudi counterpart, Ahmed Al Khateeb, in a move aimed at bolstering tourism ties between Cyprus and Saudi Arabia. This agreement, made during Koumis’s official visit to Saudi Arabia, emphasizes collaboration in sustainable tourism development, technology use, tourism education, and the exchange of expertise.
According to Cyprus News Agency, the visit concluded on Tuesday and included Koumis’s participation in the 26th General Assembly of the World Tourism Organization in Riyadh. This event also saw the ratification of Shaikha Al Nowais as the new Secretary-General.
Koumis highlighted Saudi Arabia’s potential as a significant tourist market for Europe, describing it as an emerging and promising destination. He noted Saudi Arabia’s robust economy and its substantial share of outbound overnight stays from the Middle East, which is on the rise. The Deputy Minister emphasized the mutual benefits of fostering closer tourism relations with neighboring countries and expressed hope for increased Cypriot visits to Saudi Arabia, recognizing its rapid tourism development.
The Memorandum of Understanding is seen as laying a strong foundation for enhanced tourism cooperation between the two countries. Koumis also engaged in discussions with Yousef Almubarak, Saudi Arabia’s Deputy Minister of Investments, as well as other officials, exploring opportunities for strategic partnerships within the Saudi market.
During the assembly, Koumis provided insights into Cyprus’s tourism progress to Saudi journalists, garnering interest following the Memorandum’s signing. His visit encompassed meetings geared towards establishing strategic alliances with Saudi Arabian stakeholders as part of the broader initiative to boost tourism collaboration.