The mission of Italian Minister of Tourism Daniela Santanchè to Saudi Arabia has come to an end. It began on January 27 with the inauguration of the Villaggio Italia in Jeddah, marking the first-ever visit of the Amerigo Vespucci sailing ship to Saudi Arabia in its 93-year history. After meeting in Riyadh with her Saudi counterpart, Ahmed Al Khateeb, Minister Santanchè participated in Jeddah in the event Italy and Inclusion: Putting People at the Center, promoted by the Italian Minister for Disabilities, Alessandra Locatelli. She also took part in The Tourism Wonders of Italy and the Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics 2026, organized by the Ministry of Tourism and ENIT, where speakers included Italian Ambassador Carlo Baldocci and MP Gianluca Caramanna. These activities were aimed at strengthening diplomatic relations between Italy and Saudi Arabia and enhancing tourism ties between the two countries, which already show promising numbers: in 2023, over 200,000 Saudi travelers visited Italy, with 78% traveling for personal reasons and 22% for business. "The first historic stop of the Vespucci in Saudi Arabia provided a great opportunity for Italian promotion abroad in an internationally visible setting," said Santanchè. "We had the chance to meet key global partners, launch new projects, and discuss concrete strategies to attract more Saudi tourists to Italy. Opening up to new markets is essential, especially when they are as promising as Saudi Arabia, a high-spending and rapidly growing economic and tourism hub."