Visa and Saudi Tourism Authority Launch Regional Tourism Data Lab

Visa (NYSE: V), a global digital payments company, and the Saudi Tourism Authority (STA) have jointly launched the Tourism Data & Campaigns Management Hub. This initiative, a regional first, is designed to bolster the Saudi government’s efforts in promoting the nation’s tourism sector and enhancing the visitor experience.

The Visa-STA Tourism Data Lab provides data-driven insights on travel and tourism trends, empowering the STA to make informed decisions on campaigns and initiatives. This hub aims to drive tourism into Saudi Arabia and enhance collaboration with travel industry stakeholders.

Ali Bailoun, Visa’s Regional General Manager for Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Oman, commented on the partnership: “Saudi Arabia is quickly becoming a hub for both leisure and business tourism, offering enriching experiences for visitors. The tourism industry plays a crucial role in Saudi Vision 2030’s goals of economic diversification and job creation. We are delighted to partner with STA to launch the region’s first Tourism Data Lab in Saudi Arabia, which will enhance our local partners’ and clients’ efforts to improve the tourism experience and support the government’s tourism objectives.”

Abdulkarim Aldarwish, President of MEA Markets at the Saudi Tourism Authority, added: “Saudi Arabia, with its rich natural, historical, religious, and cultural attractions, is swiftly emerging as a major global destination. Our partnership with Visa reflects the Saudi Tourism Authority’s commitment to prioritizing the tourist experience and utilizing evidence-based insights to understand visitor preferences. By sharing and analyzing data, and offering tailored promotional packages, we aim to significantly enhance the tourist experience and attract more visitors from key regional markets.”

This strategic collaboration will leverage VisaNet, the world’s largest payments database, to provide extensive data on incoming tourism. The insights generated will cover visitor journeys, spending behaviors, seasonality, digital adoption, and customer types, enabling a comprehensive approach to creating customer-centric payment experiences.