RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, May 3, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — Lionel Messi, soccer icon and Saudi Tourism Ambassador, has returned to Saudi Arabia for the second time, this time with his family, to experience the unique mix of old and the new, the cultural and the cosmopolitan of the country. Messi’s visit to Saudi Arabia was packed with exciting activities for the whole family.
Saudi Arabia is the true home of Arabia, and a highlight of the trip was the Messi family’s guided tour of Diriyah, the 300-year-old historic heart of the country, one of six UNESCO World Heritage Sites. UNESCO and cradle of the First Saudi State. At-Turaif, a historic town on the outskirts of Riyadh, is one of the most historically and architecturally significant mud-brick settlements in the world, dating back to the 15th century.
Messi and his family immersed themselves in the history of this unique destination, visiting the Arabian Horse Museum after interacting with some magnificent purebred Arabian horses. Messi was also delighted with his encounter with a white falcon that landed on his arm. Falcons are highly coveted birds of prey and hunting with them has been part of Bedouin history for thousands of years.
During the visit, Messi’s wife, Antonella Roccuzzo, wore a traditional Saudi hama, a decorative headdress historically worn by Saudi women from the Kingdom’s Najdi region. The family enjoyed the opportunity to explore the history of Saudi Arabia and learn about its rich culture, and was enchanted by the authenticity and architecture of At-Turaif and the beauty of the Arabian horses.
Before the visit to Diriyah, the Messi family also enjoyed an authentic Saudi farm experience, away from the bustle of the city. The family witnessed a palm weaving demonstration against the backdrop of the majestic palm trees, a symbol of prosperity in Saudi Arabia. The palm trees of the Kingdom annually produce more than 1.5 million tons of dates, which are a fundamental element of Saudi cuisine.
One of the highlights of their first day was feeding the native Arabian gazelles, which were on the brink of extinction but are now part of an ambitious reintroduction and conservation program that has seen the population grow exponentially. Earlier this year, 650 Arabian gazelles and 550 sand gazelles were released into the 12,400 square kilometer AlUla reserve, also famous for the reintroduction of the Arabian leopard into the wild.
On the second day of the trip, Messi and his family were introduced to the modern metropolis that Riyadh has become, where ambitious plans aim to make the city one of the most vibrant and dynamic cities in the world by 2030. Riyadh, considered one of the last frontiers of tourism, it is fascinatingly unexpected with its bright lights, its music festivals and its diverse gastronomic offer, from street food to Michelin-starred restaurants.
The activity-packed itinerary allowed Messi and his family to enjoy together the sights and sounds of VIA Riyadh and Boulevard Riyadh City, two of the city’s trendiest shopping and entertainment districts. VIA Riyadh will become one of the world’s leading luxury destinations, with high-end fashion brands, prestigious national and international restaurants and seven private themed cinemas.
The bright lights of Riyadh City Boulevard have also made their mark as one of the most popular family-friendly experiences for visitors during Riyadh Season, the city’s vibrant outdoor destination welcoming more than 15 million visitors this year.
Although Saudi Arabia is known for its daunting desert, the Rub’ Al Khali (Empty Quarter), the Kingdom has a diverse landscape that can be enjoyed year-round, from the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Al-Ahsa Oasis , to the immaculate coral reefs of the 1,700 km of the great Saudi Red Sea coast, which can be enjoyed by divers and cruise passengers, and where the first of 16 luxury hotels will open later this year, as well as the Sindalah island of NEOM. Saudi Arabia also offers the cool, green Asir Highlands, where the locals spend their summer vacations.
The warm Saudi welcome, known as Hafawa, makes it a perfect destination for families. Home to some 8 million people, Riyadh is also one of the 50 safest cities in the world according to the Economist Intelligence Unit, making it an ideal destination to explore and enjoy with the family.
Visiting Saudi Arabia is now easier than ever, with more flights available from more countries around the world. E-Visa applications through the easy-to-use online portal are available to international visitors from 49 eligible countries.
Saudi Arabia also announced the launch of a new stopover visa earlier this year. Free of charge and available to passengers traveling with SAUDIA and FlyNas, the visa is open to an even greater number of countries than the historic e-tourist visa and allows visitors to stay in the country for up to 96 hours.
Learn more about the Saudi experience at visitsaudi.com/en and @AskVisitSaudi
Images of the Messi family visit available here.
Acerca de la Saudi Tourism Authority
The Saudi Tourism Authority (STA), launched in June 2020, is responsible for marketing Saudi tourism destinations worldwide and developing the destination offering through programs, packages and business support. His mandate includes developing the country’s unique assets and destinations, organizing and participating in industry events, and promoting the Saudi destination brand locally and abroad. STA has 16 representative offices around the world, serving 38 countries.
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