“We need to enhance the tourist flow. Currently, there is no direct flight from Riyadh to Portugal, and we need to address this issue,” commented Castro Almeida at the end of a two-day visit to the Saudi capital.
The official suggested that “if it’s difficult” to connect the capitals of the two countries, “Porto and Faro are alternative destinations.”
“There’s great interest and a large potential for tourism because Saudis have a very high purchasing power and a desire to travel and explore our country,” he stated.
During the visit to Riyadh, the minister held a meeting with the Chairman of the Expo 2030 Board, an event in which Portugal is expected to participate, he admitted.
“I see our participation here with great interest,” he told Lusa.
In various meetings with different members of the Saudi government and other authorities, the minister was “repeatedly” approached about Portuguese participation in Expo 2030, for which the country was invited.
Castro Almeida noted that Portuguese authorities will evaluate this possibility, and a final decision “won’t take long.”
