The Saudi Tourism Authority (STA) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Mastercard to accelerate Saudi tourism growth through data-driven campaigns and technology integration.
The agreement, signed in Riyadh, establishes a framework for launching cross-border tourism campaigns. Under the agreement, the organizations will collaborate to attract international travelers from targeted global markets. This initiative supports the Kingdom’s national target of welcoming 150 million visitors by the year 2030. Meanwhile, the joint efforts will focus on key regional markets including the GCC.
Data Analytics for Saudi tourism growth
Specifically, the collaboration will use data and insights from the Mastercard Economics Institute (MEI) to analyze travel flows and consumer spending patterns. Furthermore, these analytics will assist the STA in segmentation, spend analysis, travel trends, and predictive modeling to inform marketing strategies and policymaking decisions.
Analyzing Travel Trends and Consumer Behavior
To achieve the target of 150 million visitors, the collaboration relies heavily on the analytical capabilities of the Mastercard Economics Institute. By analyzing travel trends and consumer behavior, the partners can better understand the preferences of international travelers. This data-driven approach allows for more precise segmentation and predictive modeling, which in turn helps the Saudi Tourism Authority design highly targeted marketing campaigns that foster long-term Saudi tourism growth.
Targeting 150 Million Visitors by 2030
Notably, the data-driven insights will help measure the economic impact of tourism events over time. Consequently, both entities plan to collaborate on joint thought leadership initiatives that promote sustainable Saudi tourism growth across the region. This will also help track evolving consumer behavior patterns.
Curated Cultural Experiences and Loyalty Programs
In addition, Mastercard will use its Priceless platform to curate and promote culturally rich experiences across Saudi Arabia. Meanwhile, the company’s technology will be deployed to enhance visitor engagement through loyalty and rewards programs, showcasing the diverse heritage of the Kingdom.
“The collaboration between the Saudi Tourism Authority and Mastercard will help attract more visitors and promote Saudi Arabia’s destinations across priority markets,”
Abdullah Aldakhil, Official Spokesperson for the Saudi Tourism Authority
“By combining data-driven insights with authentic experiences, we are creating experiences that fuel economic growth,”
Saud Swar, Country Manager for Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Jordan, and the Levant at Mastercard
Strategic Alignment with Vision 2030
Ultimately, the partnership aims to support the digital transformation of the local tourism sector. As a result, the integration of payment technology and predictive analytics is expected to drive visitor spending and support economic diversification. This collaboration underscores the ongoing commitment to innovation in the tourism industry.
