Barbados and Saudi Arabia are deepening 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 (MOU) with Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Tourism Ahmed Al Khateeb and the country’s Minister of Transport and Logistic Services, Saleh bin Nasser Al-Jasser.

This comes on the heel of Jamaica signing a similar MOU with Saudi Arabia in May this year, which brings a mature destination such as Jamaica with a new tourism destination as the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The partnership is important in exchanging best practices and the provision of useful guidelines than can benefit both Jamaica and Saudi Arabia.

Furthering ties between Barbados and Saudi Arabia

For Gooding-Edghill this partnership with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia “will go a long way in furthering our ties with. It will also explore opportunities for mutual cooperation between both countries in the respect of tourism”.

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”.

In a statement, the Barbados’ Ministry of Tourism 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.

”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.”