TOKYO: Japanese travel services company Club Tourism International won the Japan Tourism Agency Commissioner Award, which falls under the Tour Grand Prix, for their Saudi Arabia tour product.
The award is given to individuals and groups who have made significant contributions to the development and promotion of tourism.
The promotion of tourism to Saudi Arabia was achieved with the support of the Saudi Tourism Authority and in collaboration with the Globe Trotter Guidebook. The package offered by Club Tourism International includes a visit to the four UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the Kingdom, Madinah, and seven other photogenic spots.
The Tour Grand Prix is a prestigious tourism award, also referred to as the Academy Award of the tourism industry in Japan. It aims to improve planning, promotional and marketing capabilities in the travel industry and create a tourism-oriented nation.
The Tour Grand Prix Judging Committee is comprised of members from the UN World Tourism Organization Japan Office, Japan Association of Travel Agents, Japan Tourism Agency, and Japan Association of Travel Writers, among others. This year, there were 116 registrations for the Tour Grand Prix.
The tour of Saudi Arabia focused on photogenic and Instagram-worthy views. Club Tourism International held joint webinar sessions with the Saudi Tourism Authority to craft an ideal itinerary, with the 10-day tour featuring a visit to Madinah and a stay at a hotel resort in AlUla.
The itinerary aimed to give travelers deep insight into Saudi Arabia’s rich cultural and heritage offerings, as the Kingdom is a new destination in the Japanese market.
Carol Kobayakawa, country manager of the Saudi Tourism Authority’s Japan office, welcomed Japanese travelers to enjoy “the diverse range of experiences — from adventure, culture and heritage to nature — curated specifically for the local market.”
The travel packages, she added, “highlight some of the latest developments and most attractive destinations” in Saudi Arabia, including “hidden gems that few people outside of the country know about.”
Al-Hasan Al-Dabbagh, Asia Pacific’s president for the Saudi Tourism Authority, said: “This award is a great recognition and further solidifies our commitment to the Japanese market.”
The accolades, he added, are critical in helping Saudi Arabia achieve its “ambitious goals” and showcase its beauty and diverse tourism offerings to Japan.
Saudi Arabia is gearing up to welcome 32,000 Japanese tourists this year, which is six times more than pre-pandemic levels.
Facilitating seamless leisure travel is the participation of Japan, along with 48 other countries, in Saudi’s e-visa program, and its inclusion in the brand-new 96-hour stopover visa, which will allow guests flying onwards on SAUDIA airlines to avail of a complimentary one-night hotel stay in the Kingdom.