From moros to mass tourism — historical bonds fuel Saudi-Spanish tourism takeoff, says ex-Balearic leader
MADRID: Saudi-Spanish tourism ties may still be in their infancy, but for Jose Ramon Bauza Diaz, they already have the makings of a “family affair.”
“We are at the very beginning of what should be a fruitful and successful relationship,” the former Spanish politician turned tourism consultant told Arab News on the sidelines of FITUR, the flagship global tourism fair.
“Everything has yet to be done. I think we are not starting from scratch, but we are at a starting point, and we have both the opportunity to do a lot of things together.”
Spain welcomed a record 93 million visitors in 2024, overtaking the US as the world’s second most visited country by international arrivals. The Kingdom represents a small proportion, with around 182,000 Saudis visiting in 2023.
