Saudi Minister of Tourism Ahmed Al-Khateeb met with Japanese Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Hiromasa Nakano in Tokyo on the sidelines of a visit to the Saudi Pavilion at Osaka 2025 Expo, reported the Saudi Press Agency on Wednesday.
Al-Khateeb formally invited Japan’s government and tourism leaders to participate in the 26th UN Tourism General Assembly and the inaugural TOURISE Summit to be held in Riyadh in November. These two global events will reinforce Saudi Arabia’s role as a convener of international collaboration and tourism innovation.
A statement from the Saudi Tourism Authority, said the minister toured the Osaka 2025 Expo, where Saudi Arabia’s world-class tourism offering and its commitment to sustainability, innovation, and international collaboration. He also visited the pavilions of Japan and Spain.
A central highlight at the Expo 2025 Osaka was the TOURISE networking reception at the Saudi Arabia Pavilion, where Al-Khateeb received and engaged with an influential group of leaders from the public and private sectors.
The event highlighted the TOURISE platform and invited Japanese partners to take a pivotal role in the inaugural forum as well as the UNWTO General Assembly in Riyadh.
The minister 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," he added.
"Saudi Arabia’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 Osaka 2025 Expo through dynamic cultural showcases and impactful meetings," he stressed.
Saudi Ambassador to Japan and Commissioner General of the Saudi Pavilion Dr. Ghazi Faisal Binzagr said: "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. We look forward to welcoming Japan and the rest of the world to share with us our hospitality, culture, and world-class tourism destinations."
CEO of the Saudi Tourism Authority and Vice Chair of TOURISE Fahd Hamidaddin said: "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," he stated.
The outcomes of this visit directly support the Saudi Vision 2030 goals, driving economic diversification, creating thousands of new jobs, and reinforcing Saudi Arabia’s soft power and leadership on the international stage. As Riyadh prepares to welcome the world at the UN Tourism General Assembly and TOURISE, Saudi Arabia is ready to shape the future of global tourism.
The Saudi Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka reflects the Kingdom’s commitment to offering unique and pioneering cultural experiences both locally and globally, fostering connections between local heritage and the wider world.
The pavilion's design is inspired by the Kingdom's traditional and urban architecture, embodying its history, culture, and heritage.
The Saudi Pavilion recently received the Gold Award at the New York Architectural Design Awards in the Cultural Architecture – Interactive and Experiential Spaces category, in recognition of its distinctive design that captures the essence of Saudi culture.
It showcases the Kingdom’s remarkable transformation under Saudi Vision 2030, emphasizing sustainability, innovation, and international cooperation.
Since its opening, the pavilion has welcomed over two million visitors, establishing itself as one of the most popular attractions and strengthening Saudi Arabia’s reputation as a global tourist destination.
