The Saudi Arabia Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka has received an overwhelming response, with over 120,000 people engaging with the Saudi Tours Japan campaign, which visited seven cities from February 15 to March 9 to promote the pavilion ahead of the global event. Dr. Ghazi Binzagr, Saudi Arabia's Ambassador to Japan and Commissioner General of the Saudi Pavilion, highlighted the success of the initiative, emphasizing Japan's strong interest in Saudi culture and hospitality. Dr. Binzagr said Saudi Tours Japan provided thousands of people with a multi-sensory experience, offering a hands-on exhibition of the Kingdom's national transformation and its growing impact on culture, sports, and tourism. Visitors were welcomed with traditional Saudi coffee and invited to experience virtual reality exhibits, live music, cultural performances, and Saudi cuisine, as well as a majlis where they could try on traditional Saudi attire for photographs. He noted that many Japanese visitors were eager to explore Saudi Arabia beyond Expo 2025 Osaka. He added that it was heartwarming to see visitors learning about Saudi culture firsthand through the hospitality and traditional dress, and that many realized Saudi and Japanese cultures share more similarities than they initially thought. With $800 billion in tourism investments planned, Saudi Arabia aims to attract 30,000 Japanese tourists annually, supported by a dedicated tourism office in Japan. Dr. Binzagr emphasized that the Saudi Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka plays a crucial role in cultural engagement by building awareness and fostering connections between the Japanese public and Saudi Arabia through shared experiences. He also noted that the pavilion showcases Saudi Arabia's transformation and its global impact in innovation, sustainability, and economic growth. The pavilion's presence at Expo 2025 Osaka is also seen as a bridge to Expo 2030 Riyadh, reinforcing the Saudi capital's position as a global hub ahead of its role as the host of Expo 2030 and the 2034 FIFA World Cup. Expo 2025 Osaka will run for six months from April 13 to October 13, concluding with the official handover to Expo 2030 Riyadh. The Saudi Pavilion will feature over 700 events, including daily fashion, music, and film performances, as well as seven immersive rooms showcasing the Kingdom's cultural identity, innovation, and sustainability initiatives. — SG
