South Africa and Saudi Arabia Strengthen Tourism Ties
South Africa and Saudi Arabia are strengthening tourism ties, with a particular focus on making Hajj and Umrah travel easier for South African pilgrims. Tourism Minister Patricia de Lille met Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Dr Tawfiq bin Fawzan Al-Rabiah, to discuss challenges faced by pilgrims, digital services, coordination with tour operators and improved connectivity. The two countries agreed to establish a joint working group and encourage airlines to increase flight frequencies. Around 56,000 South Africans travelled to Saudi Arabia for Umrah last year, up about 10% year-on-year.
The relationship is also being positioned as a broader tourism opportunity, beyond pilgrimage. Saudi arrivals to South Africa increased from 5,461 in 2021 to 24,942 in 2025, and South African Tourism plans to develop seasonal packages aimed at Saudi travellers. Cooperation will also cover destination marketing, skills development and promoting South Africa’s Islamic heritage and halaal tourism offering, with both sides seeing potential to increase two-way travel and strengthen people-to-people ties.
Source:
