TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesian Tourism Minister Widiyanti Putri Wardhana discussed key initiatives to strengthen tourism cooperation with Saudi Arabia during a meeting with her Saudi counterpart, Ahmed Al-Khateeb, in Toledo, Spain, on Thursday, June 11.
Held on the sidelines of the 126th Session of the United Nations (UN) Tourism Executive Board, the meeting saw both ministers explore strategies to boost tourist arrivals, deepen bilateral cooperation, and reinforce the long-standing bond between the two nations.
"Saudi Arabia is one of Indonesia’s key partners in the Middle East, and Indonesia stands ready to further deepen this partnership, particularly in tourism, in a spirit of mutual respect and shared benefit," Widiyanti said.
Meanwhile, Al-Khateeb noted that his country maintains robust tourism ties with Indonesia, united by a shared culture and faith.
"We are now working closely with our Indonesian partners to enrich that connection, expand tourism exchange, enhance the visitor journey, and create opportunities for our destinations, businesses, and communities," Al-Khateeb remarked.
During the session, Ministers Widiyanti and Al-Khateeb emphasized the strategic weight of the Indonesia-Saudi Arabian tourism partnership while reviewing the progress of an ongoing memorandum of understanding in the sector.
The two officials then delved into opportunities to increase the volume of Indonesian travelers to the Kingdom through both religious and recreational tourism.
They also discussed measures to elevate the experience of pilgrims visiting Saudi Arabia, coordinating with the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah to introduce travelers to destinations and heritage experiences beyond the holy cities of Mecca and Medina.
For its part, Indonesia expressed a commitment to welcoming more Saudi tourists, including plans to establish an Arab and Hospitality Center at the Lombok Tourism Polytechnic in Central Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara.
This initiative is designed to enhance the professional competence of Indonesian tourism workers in specifically serving and accommodating visitors from the Arab world.
Indonesia and Saudi Arabia are active members of the UN Tourism Executive Board, where both nations continue to advocate for collective action to ensure that sustainability, resilience, and inclusivity remain at the heart of the global tourism sector.
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