BALINEWS.ID – The Saudi Tourism Authority (STA), under its national tourism brand “Saudi, Welcome to Arabia”, has successfully wrapped up the Indonesia Travel Trade B2B Roadshow held from 18–22 August 2025. The event reached a new milestone by expanding beyond Jakarta to Medan and Solo for the first time, connecting 35 Saudi stakeholders with over 800 Indonesian travel agents.
The initiative reflects Saudi’s growing commitment to Indonesian travellers by highlighting expanded travel opportunities across religious, leisure, and business tourism. A key highlight was the introduction of the enhanced VAT Refund Program, now offering a 15% refund for international visitors—underscoring Saudi’s drive to provide greater value and convenience.
During the roadshow, Saudi presented new and emerging destinations that go beyond its well-known cities. Madinah, the Kingdom’s most visited spiritual hub, is now promoting cultural attractions such as the Quba Walking Trail, the Al Sirah Exhibition, and As Safiyyah Museum, while also introducing unique wedding experiences.
Al Baha, famed for its historic Elephant Trail and lush highlands, offers a blend of heritage and nature as an Umrah extension. Aseer, in the southwest, charms travellers with its coastal landscapes, mountain trails, and the celebrated “Purple Season” of Jacaranda blooms.
Meanwhile, King Abdullah Economic City (KAEC) is positioning itself as a modern waterfront hub for both leisure and business, easily accessible via the Haramain High-Speed Railway.
The roadshow also introduced Ala Khotah (“In the Prophet’s Footsteps”), an immersive cultural experience set to open in late Q4 2025, retracing the Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) Hijrah journey from Makkah to Madinah. This initiative aims to provide travellers with a deeper spiritual and historical connection to the Kingdom.
Luxury hospitality was also in focus, with leading AlUla properties such as Our Habitas AlUla and Shaden Resort joining the roadshow for the first time. Their presence emphasized AlUla’s transformation into a premier Umrah+ destination, combining sustainability, Arabian heritage, and high-end experiences.
Saudi has also made visiting the Kingdom more accessible for Indonesian travellers. Those holding valid UK, US, or Schengen visas with an entry stamp can apply for an e-visa or Visa on Arrival. For Umrah visitors, the opportunity now extends beyond the holy cities, allowing exploration of Saudi’s diverse landscapes—from the Red Sea coastline to vast deserts, before returning to Indonesia.
With these initiatives, Saudi continues to build stronger ties with Indonesia, offering travellers more reasons to experience the Kingdom as a year-round destination for spirituality, culture, and discovery. (*)
