January 16, 2026 TnH Global

Saudi Tourism Authority Curates “Essence of Saudi” in Kolkata, Blending Fragrance, Culture and Destination Storytelling

Building on the strong momentum of the successful ‘Spectacular Saudi’ campaign, 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.