Bollywood stars and big travel deals mark Saudi Tourism’s five-city India activation

‘Saudi, Welcome to Arabia’, the consumer-facing brand of Saudi Tourism Authority (STA), has returned with the ‘Spectacular Saudi’, a three-day, five-city showcase this year running simultaneously from November 21 to 23, 2025, across Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, Hyderaba,d and Ahmedabad. The initiative aims to deepen Saudi Arabia’s growing tourism engagement with India, one of its fastest-emerging source markets.

In Mumbai, the activation at Phoenix Palladium Mall drew massive crowds, amplified by the presence of Bollywood celebrities Kareena Kapoor Khan, Kartik Aryan, Ananya Panday, and Jannat Zubair Rahmani, who added a star-studded start to the event.

Visitors were welcomed into immersive environments designed to reflect the essence of Saudi Arabia’s rich cultural, artistic and culinary identity. The multi-sensory experience featured traditional music, dance, crafts, photo-op booths, travel partner exhibits and genuine Saudi hospitality, along with culinary counters offering Saudi’s diverse vegetarian options.

A key feature of the promotion was the presence of dedicated Tasheer kiosks, set up to provide information and assistance for those seeking seamless travel planning, helping turn spontaneous travel dreams into reality.

Speaking to TTJ, Meshaal Qureshi, Senior Director – Trade Markets (India and Subcontinent), Saudi Tourism Authority, emphasised the strengthening tourism ties between the two countries. He said, “Coming back to India with this five-city activation shows our affinity towards the market and how Saudi is becoming an India-ready destination. We made promises at the beginning of the year, and we have been delivering on them, whether on B2B platforms or at the consumer level.”

Qureshi noted that STA had brought together more than 11 to 15 Indian trade partners for the Spectacular Saudi event, each offering exclusive travel packages and promotional deals. He shared, “We are presenting offers that have never been sold before, including packages as attractive as two nights in Riyadh at some of the most exciting prices. Saudi is an affordable destination, but this level of pricing is a special festival offer.”

He also highlighted that authentic Saudi cuisine can be presented in diverse formats, including purely vegetarian interpretations, a facet often unfamiliar to Indian travellers.

Saudi’s packed events calendar was another major highlight showcased at the activation, featuring ongoing Riyadh Season experiences, and events scheduled from January to March 2026, including major sporting competitions, global exhibitions and entertainment festivals. “We have a wide lineup of events and exhibitions taking place across Saudi,” Qureshi added.

The activation also includes live package bookings, cultural showcases, and extensive visa support, making Spectacular Saudi one of STA’s most dynamic consumer engagements in India to date, while reaffirming the Kingdom’s goal of strengthening its position as a top tourism destination for Indian travellers.

Visitors also stand a chance to win a four-night getaway to Riyadh (including accommodation, airport transfers and a city tour), along with complimentary nights on select bookings, exclusive couple bonuses, and discount vouchers worth over ₹75 lakh across Saudi flights, hotels and holiday packages. Added incentives include complimentary Six Flags tickets with 2026 Riyadh bookings and couple passes to the MDL Beast Soundstorm Music Festival.

A major highlight for fans is the chance to learn more about Qiddiya City, the world’s first destination dedicated to the Power of Play. The upcoming giga-project will feature the world’s largest Six Flags theme park, Saudi’s first and biggest waterpark, and a collection of groundbreaking entertainment attractions designed to inspire joy, creativity and exploration.