The Argentine soccer star Lionell Messi is the official brand ambassador for the Saudi Tourism Authority (STA), and it shows.
When Lionell and his family arrived in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for his second Saudi Arabia vacation, the world’s most powerful minister of tourism, and football fan, His Excellency Ahmed Al-Khateeb, noticed.
One innocent tweet posted sharing his excitement to welcome this famous football star from Argentine, made millions in the world noticing.
I am happy to welcome Saudi Tourism Ambassador Lionel #Messi and his family on his second vacation in Saudi. We are happy to share our authentic Saudi welcome with you all #WelcomeMessi
His Excellency Ahmed Al-Khateeb, Minister of Tourism Saudi Arabia
There is not one tourism minister in the world who would have millions of eyes recognizing an innocent tweet.
With 16 Megaprojects shaping the Kingdom’s travel and tourism product, with 35.34 Million Saudis ready to share Saudi hospitality, everything is just tremendously bigger in this country of about 2,150,000 km²
When HE Ahmed Al-Khateeb tweeted his welcome message for his brand ambassador and famous football star two days ago, he got 2.2 million views for the Arabic version of his tweet and 768,800 for the English language version.
His Excellency hired a dream team of tourism professionals. Leading this team is Her Excellency Gloria Guevara, the ministers’ top advisor, and former WTTC CEO.
She retweeted the minister’s post, and within the same two days, got 763,800 views.
Only counting this one retweet the post by the Saudi minister reached 3,731,600 views.
In fact not only Guevara retweeted the minister’s post, but 1610 other followers did the same. At the same time, 443 of Guevara’s followers retweeted her retweet.
To put this in perspective, the minister has 74,100 followers, Gloria Guevara has 87,100 followers, and football star Lionel Messi has 110,900 followers on Twitter.
It shows when Saudi Tourism Officials have something to say, the world is paying close attention.
In May 2022, the Saudi Tourism Authority (STA) announced that the Paris Saint-Germain and Argentina footballer is its new official brand ambassador.
Messi is expected to visit more places in the Kingdom during his second visit. He toured Historical Jeddah and enjoyed the Red Sea one year ago.
Just days before his arrival, Messi shared on his Instagram account a post showing a date palm grove.
He said in a partnership post with Visit Saudi: “Who thought Saudi Arabia has so much green? I love to explore its unexpected wonders whenever I can.”
The post got over 5 million likes and nearly 50,000 comments in two days.
Argentine football star Lionel Messi arrived in Saudi Arabia on Monday along with his family for his second visit to the Kingdom as Saudi Tourism Ambassador.
(eTN): When a Saudi Tourism Minister Tweets, Millions Pay Attention | re-post license | post content
