Saudi Tourism Authority’s consumer-facing brand, ‘Saudi, Welcome to Arabia,’ curated an
exclusive experiential showcase, “Essence of Saudi,” in Kolkata, Eastern India’s largest
metropolitan city this past week. The event took place at Ozora, a rooftop restaurant located
at the city’s premier Acropolis Mall.

Designed as an immersive experience, the event was thoughtfully curated fragrance-themed
introduction to Saudi, using signature scents inspired by different cities and regions of the
country. The Saudi cities of Riyadh, Jeddah and Taif, along with the UNESCO World
Heritage Site of AlUla and the pristine Saudi Red Sea, were all represented through a distinct
fragrance profile, evoking their atmosphere, culture, and natural environment.

The capital Riyadh was embodied through Spice Woods, warm spices blended with earthy,
musky and woody notes. Jeddah, the vibrant coastal gateway, is captured through Citrus
Elixir, a warm, cozy tangerine and bergamot scent. Taif, long celebrated for its roses and
perfumery heritage, is expressed through Regal Oudh (Taif), a herbaceous oudh-forward
scent layered with earthy woods, soft leather, smoky amber and gentle spice. Once the
crossroads of ancient civilizations, AlUla is represented by Amber Patchouli, a composition
of deep, resinous amber with earthy patchouli, whereas, the Saudi Red Sea unfolds through
Ocean Breeze, a fresh, green, marine-inspired aquatic scent.

Together, these scents celebrate a destination defined by pristine nature, cultural depth, and a
forward-looking Saudi Vision 2030 rooted in sustainability and transformative tourism.
Designed as a hands-on fragrance blending experience, “Essence of Saudi” allowed
participants to create their own bespoke scent while discovering the cultural depth and
heritage of Saudi through its distinctive aromas.

The strong response from trade partners from the ‘City of Joy’ underscored their growing
interest in Saudi as a compelling destination for Indian travellers seeking bespoke luxury and
rich cultural experiences. Furthermore, bringing Kolkata closer to Saudi, Saudia and Air
India have announced codeshare agreement that will take effect in February 2026. Travellers
from the ‘City of Joy’, among other Indian cities, can seamlessly connect to destinations in
Saudi and beyond through Delhi and Mumbai.

The two countries are connected by a total of six different carriers. Besides Saudia and Air
India, other carriers flying on various routes between the two countries are: Flynas, IndiGo,
Air India Express and Akasa Air, with the number of flights totalling over 313 weeklies. The
growing connectivity between the two countries further strengthens Saudi’s appeal as a year-
round destination.

Saudi is also enhancing its destination appeal with world-class attractions like the New Year
eve opening of Six Flags Qiddiya City, a bold new addition to the global entertainment and
adventure landscape. Spanning six immersive themed lands, the park features 28 rides and
attractions, including record-breaking experiences such as Falcons Flight, the world’s tallest, fastest, and longest roller coaster; Iron Rattler, the world’s tallest tilt coaster; and Spitfire, the
world’s tallest inverting coaster. Designed as a family-friendly lifestyle destination, the park
also offers 18 attractions tailored for families and younger guests.

Besides, Riyadh Season continues to position Saudi as a global entertainment hub through
March 2026, delivering world-class sports, culture, and live experiences. In late January, the
season hosts two major WWE events: SmackDown on January 30 and the historic Royal
Rumble 2026 on January 31, marking the first time the iconic event takes place outside North
America.