Saudi Tourism Mastercard partnership aims to attract more international visitors through data-led campaigns, travel insights and cultural experiences
The Saudi Tourism Authority (STA) and Mastercard have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen Saudi Arabia’s position as a global tourism destination through targeted international campaigns, data-driven strategies and enhanced visitor experiences.
The partnership is designed to support Saudi Arabia’s ambition of attracting more than 150 million visitors by 2030, as the kingdom continues to expand its tourism sector under its wider economic diversification plans.
Under the agreement, Mastercard will provide insights from its Mastercard Economics Institute (MEI), including travel trends, visitor spending patterns and international traveller segmentation.
The information will help the Saudi Tourism Authority improve tourism planning, evaluate travel flows and measure the impact of major events.
Thepartnership will also introduce new visitor experiences through Mastercard’s Priceless platform, offering exclusive cultural activities connected to Saudi Arabia’s heritage destinations.
Mastercard’s loyalty and rewards programmes will be promoted as part of efforts to encourage international spending and increase engagement among visitors exploring the kingdom.
Abdullah Aldakhil, official spokesperson for the Saudi Tourism Authority, said the collaboration would help expand Saudi Arabia’s global tourism reach.
“The collaboration between the Saudi Tourism Authority and Mastercard will help attract more visitors and promote Saudi’s destinations across priority markets in the GCC, the region, and internationally,” Aldakhil said.
He added that the partnership forms part of STA’s wider strategy of developing international collaborations that support the kingdom’s tourism goals.
The agreement comes as Saudi Arabia continues to introduce measures aimed at making travel more accessible, including integrated travel and visa packages for visitors from selected markets.
The kingdom has launched bundled booking options for travellers from countries including Egypt, Jordan, India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Indonesia and Mexico, allowing eligible visitors to arrange flights, accommodation and electronic tourist visas through a single transaction.
Saudi Arabia has invested heavily in tourism infrastructure, cultural attractions and major events as it seeks to increase its share of the global travel market.
Partnerships with international companies such as Mastercard are expected to provide deeper insights into visitor behaviour while improving how destinations are marketed worldwide.
The latest agreement highlights the growing role of technology, financial services and data analytics in shaping modern tourism strategies as countries compete to attract international travellers.
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