Saudia and THE RIG Forge New Pathways in Adventure Tourism and Sustainability
In a pivotal move to boost the travel and tourism sector, Saudia, Saudi Arabia's national airline, has partnered with the Oil Park Development Company (OPDC), the mastermind behind the innovative adventure tourism destination, THE RIG. This collaboration, sealed through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Riyadh by Saudia's CEO Captain Ibrahim Koshy and OPDC's CEO Raed Bakhrji, aims to enhance the Eastern province's appeal as a tourist destination and refine the guest experience.
This strategic partnership not only seeks to increase traffic to the region but also explores groundbreaking transportation solutions, such as electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing (eVTOL) vehicles, and initiatives to reduce carbon footprints. Such efforts are in line with both entities' dedication to sustainability and innovation.
Captain Koshy emphasized Saudia's commitment to Vision 2030, stating, “As the ‘Wings of Vision 2030,’ we are dedicated to achieving the Kingdom’s tourism strategy goals, which include attracting 150 million visitors to Saudi Arabia by 2030. This collaboration promises significant advancements for the travel and tourism industry, as we combine our expertise to foster innovation and sustainable growth."
THE RIG, inspired by Vision 2030's (video) directive to enhance the tourism sector, is set to become a leading adventure tourism project, offering an unmatched array of experiences. “Our collaboration with Saudia will amplify the distinctiveness and accessibility of our offerings, making THE RIG a premier choice for adventure enthusiasts," stated Bakhrji.
This partnership represents a major step forward in redefining adventure tourism and sustainability in Saudi Arabia. By leveraging Saudia's extensive network and THE RIG's unique experiences, this initiative is poised to set new standards in the industry, offering visitors innovative travel options and contributing to the Kingdom's ambitious tourism goals.