Arab News Japan

TOKYO-Saudi Arabia has an exciting array of experiences on offer on the first day of the opening of Japan Tourism expo. 

At, Tokyo Big Sight, the Saudi booth is providing visitors with a glimpse of its own unique cultural and landscape heritage through hands on experiences. 

The expo is held as Japan hopes to revive the tourism industry which has been sluggish since the pandemic and the strict policy of closed doors to all foreigners, and only recently allowing a very limited number to enter. 

At the Saudi Arabia booth, visitors are warmly invited to discover the mysterious charms of the country such as the city of Jeddah, which is classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  Exhibitors in national costume invite visitors to stay for a moment of relaxation with tea served in the traditional way.

Visitors can also take selfies in front of a virtual landscape that they will have previously selected using a QR code available on the stand, and imagine that they are standing in the desert.

The Saudi Tourism Authority told Arab News Japan that it was now possible to organize special trips to the Medina city for Japanese tourists. 

The organizers of the show hope to welcome more than 150,000 visitors over three days.