In September, EXO sales and marketing managers had the opportunity to explore Saudi Arabia for the first time- and the week-long trip was nothing short of ‘wow’.
From desert picnics to snorkelling in the Red Sea, wandering Jeddah’s old town to encounters with friendly locals, the group gained a deeper understanding of the things that make Saudi Arabia such a special travel destination.
Read on to learn more about their impressions and what surprised them the most about Saudi Arabia.
ROMINA (Sales Manager, Spain & Portugal)
Impressions: The landscapes, the rich culture, the warm hospitality of the people, and the sheer diversity of experiences left a profound impact. Saudi Arabia proved that, no matter how well-travelled one may be, there are always places that can evoke that “WOW” moment and remind us of the boundless beauty and wonder that the world has to offer.
Surprising Saudi experience: Snorkelling in the Red Sea was an unforgettable experience. Getting away from the cities and being free, clear waters, vibrant coral reefs, and diverse marine life, and the great seafood barbeque. It was such an AMAZING experience.
PANTANIDA (General Manager, German Market)
Impressions: In general, it’s very safe and the locals are very friendly and welcoming. Yes, locals might look at you with some curiosity but that happened in Vietnam 10 years ago too when tourism was relatively new. This really makes us feel special and lucky to be able to visit the country when everything is still quite new.
Surprising Saudi experience: Meeting the Saudi ladies. They are like a mystery, so to see their faces, their hair, their clothes underneath Abaya, their family pictures and to talk to them was like meeting friends from another planet.
SOPHIE (Sales Manager, UK & Ireland)
Impressions: Even with the knowledge that Saudi Arabia would be “surprising”, I don’t think I was prepared to be quite so surprised! Stand out moments were traversing mountain roads and suddenly entering a vast desert, driving past wild camels in our 4X4 and stopping for local picnics as our hosts made traditional Arabic tea. Stargazing in the desert and a taste of bedouin camping was also very much on my top moments list. Magical!
Surprising Saudi experience: Stargazing in the desert and a taste of bedouin camping was also very much on my top moments list.
NICK (Global Sales Director)
Impressions: As Saudi Arabia and its people go through great change, it is still far from a typical tourist destination, which makes it such a fascinating place to visit. Also the changing landscapes, almost alien-like, are a major draw as it is so photogenic.
Surprising Saudi experience: I was impressed at Alula and Diriya, where they have managed to tastefully develop a tourist destination while preserving its history and heritage.
ALICE (Sales Manager, French Market)
Impressions: Surprising Saudi, our flagship programme, is aptly named. A week of scouting enabled us to discover the Kingdom from the inside: fascinating landscapes, ancient cities listed by UNESCO to the most futuristic architectural projects, guides (men AND women) of the highest quality, an open and welcoming population, tasty and varied food… the trip, and the people we met, helped us to deconstruct many preconceptions. Saudi Arabia blew my mind. Yallah!
Surprising Saudi experience: Suddenly leaving the asphalt of the highway to plunge into an unspoiled desert, a path barely marked out, here and there passing camels … driving through sand dunes, a feeling of intense freedom, to reach a canyon over 100 metres long between spectacular cliffs of sandstone.
AMANDA (Sales Director, North America)
Impressions: Saudi Arabia has a great variety of sights, from modern cities to rich history and UNESCO sights. One day you are in the middle of the desert admiring archeological sites that are more than 2000 years old and the next day wandering through a buzzing city streets with modern architecture, like Riyadh.
Surprising Saudi Experience: The desert is so beautiful- it has the best desert rock scenery I have ever seen!
ALEX (Director of Marketing)
Impressions: Massive investments in education and infrastructure over the years have clearly paid dividends, and Saudi Arabia now feels like it’s on the precipice of a renaissance; a rebirth even.
Signs of significant changes to the fabric of society are everywhere and my instinct from talking to people about these changes made me feel that most people are onboard with it.
Surprising Saudi experience: The food! If you’ve ever found yourself fawning over a plate of hummus, falafel, pomegranate, kebobs etc, Saudi Arabia will be a veritable paradise. Everywhere we went, food was not only delicious, with judicious use of spice and flavors, but portions were generous and prices were reasonable.
Saudi Arabia is EXO’s tenth destination. We have always seen ourselves as pioneers and have we’ve never shied away from journeys less travelled. From our first steps in Vietnam in 1993 and Myanmar in 1995 through to today, our steadfast belief in the power of responsible travel to transform destinations for the better has always been our guiding light.
In Saudi Arabia, we see not only a destination full of incredible, undiscovered wonders, but one on the precipice of hugely positive change. Through our creative product, strong ethos of sustainability and expert on-the-ground services, we look to be drivers of this change; to help ensure that tourism achieves its full potential for positivity in the country and that visitors experience it in the best and most responsible way possible.
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