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RIYADH: Ahmed Al-Khateeb, ����ֱ��’s minister of tourism, met Japanese Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Hiromasa Nakano in Tokyo during a visit to the Saudi pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka.

Al-Khateeb invited Japan’s government and tourism leaders to join the 26th UN Tourism General Assembly and the inaugural Tourise Summit in Riyadh this November.

These global events will reinforce the Kingdom’s role as a hub for international collaboration and tourism innovation, according to the Saudi Press Agency.

Al-Khateeb began his Expo 2025 Osaka tour at the Saudi pavilion, at which are displayed the Kingdom’s world-class tourism offerings, sustainability, innovation, and commitment to international cooperation.

He also visited the Japan and Spain pavilions, strengthening diplomatic ties and tourism partnerships, the SPA reported.

A key highlight was the Tourise networking event, where Al-Khateeb engaged with Japanese government officials, private sector leaders, and investors.

The event emphasized the Tourise platform and invited Japanese partners to play a key role in both the inaugural forum and the UNWTO General Assembly in Riyadh.

The minister said: “����ֱ��’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.

“����ֱ��’s approach — backed by more than $800 billion in giga-projects and infrastructure, including Neom, the Red Sea, and Diriyah — is positioning the Kingdom as the fastest-growing tourism destination worldwide, with the ambitious goal of welcoming 150 million visitors by 2030. This momentum was evident at Expo 2025 Osaka through dynamic cultural showcases and impactful meetings.”

Ghazi Faisal Binzagr, Saudi ambassador to Japan and commissioner general of the Kingdom’s pavilion, said: “Japanese visitors to our pavilion have shared their curiosity and interest in visiting ����ֱ��. With each meaningful exchange, we connect through our culture and traditions between ����ֱ�� and Japan.

“We look forward to welcoming Japan and the rest of the world to share with us our hospitality, culture, and world-class tourism destinations.”

Fahd Hamidaddin, CEO of the Saudi Tourism Authority and vice chair of the Tourise, said: “����ֱ�� 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.”