Saudi Arabia unveils smart tour guide as kingdom sees surge in visitors
Presented as passionate about travel, 'Sarah' is knowledgeable about cultural diversity
Cairo: Saudi Arabia has introduced a trial version of a smart tour guide, named "Sarah," as part of its growing focus on the tourism sector.
The guide attracted attention at the recently concluded World Travel Market (WTM) in London, offering rich information about tourist destinations and historical sites, according to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA).
"Sarah" reflects the kingdom’s future vision for smart tourism, leveraging advanced artificial intelligence to answer questions, understand visitor needs, provide detailed information, and offer recommendations. The AI guide is also interactive, engaging with visitors in real-time.
Presented as a passionate Saudi girl deeply connected to her homeland, Sarah is well-versed in the kingdom’s cultural diversity, unique tourist destinations, and archaeological sites. She is also knowledgeable about international events and attractions in Saudi Arabia.
This initiative, launched by the Saudi Tourism Authority, highlights the kingdom’s commitment to embracing digital tourism and advancing AI technologies to enhance the visitor experience. It is part of a broader effort to attract tourists from around the world and enrich their experience of Saudi Arabia.
In addition to this innovation, Saudi Arabia has rolled out several initiatives to bolster tourism. These include the introduction of tourist visas on arrival or online for citizens of select countries, a system launched in 2019. Last year, the kingdom also introduced a four-day transit visa, allowing visitors to perform Umrah at the Grand Mosque in Mecca, visit the Prophet Mohammad’s Mosque in Medina, and explore events across the country.
The kingdom saw a surge in tourism in 2023, with the number of visitors exceeding 100 million. Tourism Minister Ahmed Al Khateeb reported that 2023's target was met, with 77 million local visitors and 27 million international arrivals. Looking ahead, Saudi Arabia aims to become one of the world’s top 10 tourist destinations, with a goal of attracting 150 million visitors annually by 2030. This includes 80 million domestic tourists and 70 million international visitors.