From Desert to Mountain, Saudi Destination Allure at Visit Saudi Travel Fair 2025

Saudi Arabia is no longer just a destination for religious pilgrimage, but also an exciting hotspot for young travelers seeking new experiences. Through the Visit Saudi Travel Fair 2025 themed "Discover the Soul of Arabia," the Saudi Tourism Authority (STA) invites Indonesian tourists to immerse themselves directly in the beauty and unique warmth of the desert nation.

Southeast Asia Market Unit Senior Director of the Saudi Tourism Authority, Eyad Jan, stated that through this exhibition, Saudi Arabia aims to share lesser-known aspects of its country.

"Indonesia is an extremely important market for us, united by spiritual and cultural closeness, and the growing curiosity of its people to explore Saudi Arabia's diverse beauty," he said.

Between Spiritual and Modern Adventure

For Indonesia, Saudi Arabia indeed holds a special relationship, not only religiously but also due to shared curiosity. With the world's largest Muslim population, Indonesia is now one of Saudi Arabia's fastest-growing tourism markets. In 2024 alone, there were 1.6 million visits by Indonesian tourists to Saudi Arabia, a 6.7% increase from the previous year. This surge became more pronounced after the pandemic, with visits jumping 36% in 2022.

Saudi Arabia's popularity as a favorite international destination is also rising. It currently ranks as the second most popular international destination for Indonesian travelers, after Japan. Interestingly, Saudi Arabia is now not only promoting its spiritual side but also showcasing a "modern adventure" experience packaged with a distinctive Middle Eastern flair.

At this exhibition, visitors are invited to "journey" to several of Saudi Arabia's most iconic destinations through interactive and immersive visual concepts. One highlight is AlUla, a spectacular region with rock formations and desert landscapes resembling an open-air natural museum. Many say AlUla is where history and art blend into one magical experience.

Additionally, there's AlBaha, a mountain paradise with cool air and green panoramas offering a stark contrast to Saudi Arabia's desert image. Its location is also strategic, not far from Makkah.

For sports and entertainment enthusiasts, Saudi Arabia is also actively hosting global events through its UNREAL Calendar campaign, featuring various sporting events, cultural activities, and spectacular music concerts. 

Even global football star Cristiano Ronaldo is part of this campaign as a global icon, making Saudi Arabia a magnet for young travelers who love combining adventure with world-class entertainment.

Authentic Cultural Touches

A major draw of the Visit Saudi Travel Fair is the detailed interactive cultural experiences. Visitors can participate in traditional Saudi coffee and date rituals, enjoy music from oud players, and try Arabic calligraphy, taking home their own creations.

For those seeking authentic experiences, performances of Ardah, the traditional sword dance accompanied by drumming and poetry recitals, are a must-see. The event is also family-friendly with a dedicated children's area, ensuring all ages can enjoy this "discover the soul of Arabia" experience.

The exhibition, taking place from November 12–16, 2025 at Gandaria City, Jakarta, is also packed with attractive offers. Visitors can get discounts of up to 35% on Saudia Airlines domestic flights to nine destinations, international tickets starting from IDR 10 million from Jakarta and Bali, 10% discounts on Garuda Indonesia flights to Saudi Arabia, savings of up to IDR 5 million for tour and Umrah packages, discounts of up to 50% on hotels across Saudi Arabia, and 0% installments using BSI Hasanah credit cards plus bonus discounts of up to IDR 7 million.

Beyond promotions, another cool feature is the on-site visa processing service available at the Tasheer booth. This means the entire process, from planning to obtaining the visa, can be completed in one place.