Saudi Arabia’s Ambassador to Moscow Sami Mohammed Al-sadhan said the number of Saudi tourists traveling to Russia could exceed 200,000 in 2026. The Roscongress Foundation reported his comments following a meeting with Russian Presidential Adviser Anton Kobyakov.
“Nearly a century has passed since our two friendly nations established diplomatic relations. Today, our leaders are setting ambitious goals for the next stage of cooperation. This includes economic and investment development, tourism, healthcare and scientific exchange. We plan to significantly increase the flow of Saudi visitors to Russia — next year alone we expect more than 200,000 Saudi tourists,” Al-Sadhan said.
He also reaffirmed Saudi Arabia’s commitment to strengthening its strategic partnership with Russia, noting that personal ties between the countries’ leaders create a solid foundation for long-term cooperation.
Trade and Economic Cooperation
Kobyakov, for his part, emphasized that trade and economic ties between Russia and Saudi Arabia continue to grow steadily.
“Over the past five years, bilateral trade has doubled, and this year alone it has increased by 85%. Russian investment in the kingdom grew sixfold last year, while Saudi investment in Russia rose by 11%. Today, our cooperation spans not only the economy and infrastructure, but also education, culture, and tourism, where overall flows have increased nearly fivefold. This dynamic, trust-based dialogue is laying the groundwork for elevating our partnership to a new level,” he said.
Forums and the 100th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations
According to Roscongress, the meeting also covered outcomes of the Russia—Saudi Business Forum held on December 1. The Saudi Embassy was thanked for its role in preparing the event, and both sides praised the high level of organization.
Discussions also focused on Saudi Arabia’s participation as guest country at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) in 2026. “It was proposed to create a joint action plan, including a business mission of Saudi economic leaders to Russia in the spring of 2026, as well as preparing a package of intergovernmental agreements that could be signed during the kingdom’s leadership visit to SPIEF,” the foundation reported.
In addition, the parties noted growing Saudi interest in major international events hosted by the Roscongress Foundation: the St. Petersburg International Legal Forum, the Eastern Economic Forum, the Caucasus Investment Forum, Russian Energy Week, and the national tourism forum “Travel!”.
To mark the centennial of diplomatic relations, the Saudi Embassy plans an extensive cultural program in Russia. Screenings of documentary and historical films, as well as events promoting Saudi culture and strengthening humanitarian ties, will take place in Moscow, Sochi, and other cities.
“The meeting concluded with both sides confirming their readiness to maintain close coordination through diplomatic and business channels ahead of SPIEF-2026 and events dedicated to the 100th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Russia and Saudi Arabia,” Roscongress said.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: Federation Council
Based on materials from TASS