Barbados and Saudi Arabia are looking to deepen their cooperation on tourism, following the signing of several high-profile agreements this week.
Barbados Tourism Minister Ian Gooding-Edghill signed a Tourism Memorandum of Understanding with Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Tourism HE Ahmed Al Khateeb and the country’s Minister of Transport and Logistic Services, H.E. Saleh bin Nasser Al-Jasser.
“The agreement that we signed today will go a long way in furthering our ties with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. It will also explore opportunities for mutual cooperation between both countries in the respect of tourism,” Gooding-Edghill said.
The agreement came on the sidelines of the World Travel and Tourism Global Summit in Riyadh this week. The two sides also signed an air services agreement aiming to “develop an intentional aviation system,” according to a statement.
That agreement will “facilitate the expansion of international air service opportunities, making it possible for airlines to offer travel and shipping services between the two countries,” the two sides said.
“The signing of these agreements at this influential Travel and Tourism event will further drive business for Barbados’ tourism product in the Middle Eastern market,” Barbados’ Ministry of Tourism said in a statement.
The two sides did not address potential cooperation with Saudi Arabia’s LIV Golf tour, although given Barbados’ strong (and growing) golf offering it’s possible the island could prove to be a potential host for a LIV tournament down the road.