Saudi Tourism Minister Ahmed Al-Khateeb Engages With Japan At Osaka Expo 2025

Minister of Tourism Ahmed Al-Khateeb recently met with Japan's Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, Hiromasa Nakano, in Tokyo. This meeting took place during a visit to the Saudi Pavilion at the Osaka 2025 Expo. Al-Khateeb extended an invitation to Japan's government and tourism leaders for the 26th UN Tourism General Assembly and the inaugural TOURISE Summit in Riyadh this November.

Al-Khateeb highlighted Saudi Arabia’s tourism transformation as a source of pride for the Arab world. He stated: "Saudi Arabia’s tourism transformation is the pride of the Arab world and a beacon for the global sector. Our presence in Osaka and our partnership with Japan reflect how Vision 2030 is unlocking opportunity, attracting investment, and building bridges between cultures. As we prepare to host the world’s tourism leaders in Riyadh, we invite our Japanese and global partners to join us in shaping the future of tourism—rooted in innovation, sustainability, and shared prosperity."

The Saudi Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka showcases Saudi Arabia's commitment to sustainability and innovation. The pavilion's design draws inspiration from traditional and urban architecture, reflecting the Kingdom's rich history and culture. It has become a popular attraction, welcoming over two million visitors since its opening.

The TOURISE networking reception at the Saudi Pavilion was a key event at Expo 2025 Osaka. Al-Khateeb engaged with leaders from both public and private sectors there. The event emphasized the TOURISE platform's role in fostering international collaboration. Japanese partners were invited to play a significant role in both the forum and UNWTO General Assembly in Riyadh.

CEO of the Saudi Tourism Authority Fahd Hamidaddin remarked on Saudi Arabia's influence on global tourism: "Saudi Arabia is reshaping the tourism landscape, not just for our nation, but for the region and the world. With TOURISE, we are building a global platform for innovative partnerships and shared investment. The world will witness this transformation in Riyadh in November, when we convene leaders from every continent to chart a new course for tourism. Japan’s participation will be integral to this vision."

Economic Diversification Through Tourism

The outcomes of this visit align with Saudi Vision 2030 goals by promoting economic diversification and creating numerous jobs. The Kingdom aims to welcome 150 million visitors by 2030 through projects like NEOM, The Red Sea, and Diriyah.

Dr. Ghazi Faisal Binzagr, Saudi Ambassador to Japan, noted Japanese interest in visiting Saudi Arabia: "Japanese visitors to our pavilion have shared their curiosity and interest in visiting Saudi Arabia. With each meaningful exchange, we connect through our culture and traditions between Saudi Arabia and Japan."

The pavilion received recognition for its design by winning Gold at the New York Architectural Design Awards under Cultural Architecture – Interactive Spaces category.

This initiative supports Saudi Arabia’s soft power on an international scale while preparing Riyadh to host global tourism leaders at upcoming events.

With inputs from SPA