Events in Riyadh, including Amazing Thailand Networking Lunch 2022, promote Thailand as a preferred destination for medical, health and wellness, beaches, and shopping for Saudi outbound tourism. The first ever Amazing Thailand Fest 2022, together with the Amazing Thailand Networking Lunch 2022, in Riyadh marks another important step to further promote mutual tourism between Saudi Arabia and Thailand. H.E. Mr. Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, Minister of Tourism and Sports said, “After Thailand and Saudi Arabia resumed diplomatic ties in January, this year, the Thai tourism industry has coordinated efforts to promote Thailand as a preferred destination for Saudi travellers through a series of activities such as these Amazing Thailand Fest and Networking Lunch events.” Organised by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), the Amazing Thailand Fest 2022 is taking place at Riyadh Pak Mall, from 1-3 December, 2022. The event features TAT’s latest Amazing Thailand NFT products – Nature to keep, Food to explore, and Thainess to discover – through cultural performances and DIY activities. Also available are privileges and offers from Thailand’s healthcare facilities, hotels and theme parks, Thai Airways International, and the Thailand Privilege Card, as well as Saudi travel agencies. Meanwhile, the Amazing Thailand Networking Lunch 2022, held today in Riyadh, further elevated the image of Thailand as a medical hub and a world-class wellness destination. The event showcased a wide range of health and wellbeing experiences on offer in Thailand, and promoted Phuket’s bid to host the Specialised Expo in 2028. Mr. Yuthasak Supasorn, TAT Governor said “The Amazing Thailand Fest and Networking Lunch 2022 events in Riyadh are among a raft of initiatives put together by TAT to boost Saudi tourism industry and tourist awareness of Thailand as a world- class destination for medical, health and wellness, beaches, and shopping.” Most recent initiatives included the Amazing Thailand Roadshow to Saudi Arabia in May. In the same month, TAT signed a MOC with Saudia, the flag carrier of Saudi Arabia, and another MOC with Almosafer, the largest online travel agency in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. In June, TAT and Saudia organised a Thailand fam trip for Saudi travel agents during the Thailand Travel Mart Plus 2022 in Phuket. Another fam trip was also arranged for Saudi media and influencers. Other initiatives included joint sales promotion with WEGO and Saudia. TAT is leveraging its latest tourism marketing campaign, Visit Thailand Year 2022: Amazing New Chapters, in the Saudi market as a new source tourist market with good growth potential for Thailand, focusing on all segments including millennials, first visits, medical and health and wellness, and family. From 1 January-3 November, 2022, Thailand has welcomed 76,216 Saudis tourists, an increase of over 100 % compared to 2019 of 36,783 Saudis travellers visited the Kingdom and generated 3.2 billion Thai Baht. Travellers’ main purpose is for medical and wellness, while Bangkok, Phuket, Pattaya, Phang-nga and Krabi are their top five destinations to visit. Currently, THAI operates 4 flights a week from Bangkok-Jeddah while Saudia has scheduled on Jeddah-Riyadh-Bangkok route with three flights per week, and Jeddah- Bangkok with four flight a week. Emirates, Qatar Airways and Etihad Airways also operate several flights from Riyadh and Jeddah. Since 1 October, 2022 through until 31 March, 2023, Saudis tourist will be eligible for a 30 day of period of stay for Visa on Arrival (VOA).