On 7 August 2024, a meeting was held at the Embassy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in Poland, attended by representatives of the Saudi meetings industry, the Polish Tourism Organisation, the Warsaw Tourism Organisation, the Mazovian Regional Tourism Organisation, the Polish tourism industry and LOT Polish Airlines. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the development of cooperation in the field of tourism between Poland and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

His Excellency the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to Poland, Saad Saleh Alsaleh, emphasised in his speech the growing importance of Polish-Saudi relations, especially in the context of the development of the tourism industry. He pointed to the important role played by such meetings in building and deepening mutual relations and in strengthening cooperation between the two countries.

The Saudi delegation had the opportunity to get acquainted with the rich tourist offer of Poland, which has undergone dynamic growth over the last two decades. The Polish side expressed interest in intensifying efforts to promote Poland as an attractive tourist destination on the Saudi market, stressing the potential of cooperation in this area.

Aneta Książek, Head of the Poland Convention Bureau at the Polish Tourism Organisation, presented the wide range of opportunities Poland offers for organising various events, including conferences, incentive trips, and business meetings. She emphasised the potential of our country as an attractive destination for this type of projects, highlighting the developed infrastructure, rich tourist offer and favourable conditions for the implementation of such projects.

“The launch of direct flights from Riyadh significantly increases Poland’s accessibility as an attractive travel destination, both for tourists and event organisers. Poland offers unique conditions for meetings, which makes our country an excellent choice on the Saudi market,” said Aneta Książek.

Saudi Arabia is considered one of the most culturally challenging business partners, especially for non-Muslims. Saudis quickly establish close and friendly contacts, but a strong relationship requires direct contact and patience. Often, to build a closer relationship, you will be invited to share a meal.  If the meeting takes place at the host’s house, it is worth remembering that the meal is a kind of culmination of the meeting,  preceded by conversations over coffee, tea and dates. Coffee holds a special place in Arab culture, and the coffee served in Saudi Arabia may surprise people from Poland in terms of taste and colour.  Refusing a cup of coffee is not done, even if you don’t drink coffee at all.

We had the opportunity to experience all these customs firsthand during yesterday’s meeting at the Embassy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, where we were invited by Ambassador Saad Saleh Alsaleh. The coffee, as well as the whole meeting, was excellent, very warm and promising for the future. Among the guests of the fam trip was one woman, which also speaks to cultural changes in the Middle East, where women are increasingly visible in business, and their good preparation and high level of education allow them to reach higher and higher positions.

The main inspiration and organiser of the study visit is Mazurkas DMC Poland. As one of the partners, the Polish Tourism Organisation - Poland Convention Bureau, supports and gives the appropriate importance to the event.

The meeting at the Embassy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in Warsaw was part of the Poland Business Development Trip, held from August 7-11, 2024.. We are very happy with this cooperation and the opportunity we gave our guests to discover Warsaw, Mazovia, Kraków and Małopolska (Wieliczka, Zakopane).

Video of the Event:

نظمت سفارة المملكة العربية #السعودية @KSAembassyPL في #بولندا لقاء جمع ممثلين وكالات السياحة في المملكة ، مع ممثلين عن هيئة ووكالات السياحة في بولندا ، وشركة الطيران البولندي @LOTPLAirlines ، وتم خلال اللقاء بحث سبل التعاون مجال السياحة بين البلدين وتطويره ، خصوصاً بعد إطلاق… pic.twitter.com/h36xJrT0ix

— بولندا بالعربي - Poland In Arabic (@PolandinArabic) August 7, 2024

Photo Credit: Embassy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in Poland