Cyprus and Saudi Arabia agreed to sign a tourism cooperation memorandum during a videoconference between the countries’ deputy tourism ministers on Tuesday, as Cyprus seeks to tap into one of the Middle East’s fastest-growing tourist markets.
Deputy Tourism Minister Costas Koumis held talks with Saudi Arabia’s Deputy Tourism Minister Princess Haifa Al Saud, where they agreed to establish a technical committee comprising officials from both sides to monitor implementation of the cooperation agreement.
The officials discussed improving air connectivity between the two countries, with additional technical-level videoconferences planned for the coming weeks. Saudi airline Saudia currently operates flights connecting the two nations during the summer season.
Saudi tourism sector posts 102% growth in Q1 2025
Saudi Arabia recorded a 102% increase in international tourist arrivals in the first quarter of 2025 compared with the same period in 2019, significantly outpacing global and Middle Eastern averages. The kingdom generated $13.16 billion (49.4 billion Saudi riyals) in international tourism revenue during the quarter, marking a 9.7% increase from the same period in 2024.
The World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) forecasts the sector will contribute 447.2 billion Saudi riyals to the economy in 2025, representing over 10% of the country’s GDP.
Saudi Arabia has positioned tourism as a key pillar of its Vision 2030 economic diversification programme. The kingdom is developing infrastructure projects including the Neom megacity, launched new airline Riyadh Air, and established what it describes as the world’s largest professional tourism education school in 2023.
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