Kakao's IT technology and K-content business are heading to Saudi Arabia, the heart of the Middle East.
On the 23rd, Kakao announced that it held discussions on cooperation to build mobile infrastructure for revitalizing tourism in Saudi Arabia with officials from the Saudi Arabian Tourism Authority at its Pangyo office.
Attending the meeting were Alhasan Aldabbagh, Chief Executive Officer of the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region at the Saudi Arabian Tourism Authority; Choon Quek, Chief Technology Officer (CTO); Shin Min-gyun, Head of Kakao's Strategic Planning Group; Jo Han-gyu, Head of External Cooperation at Kakao Entertainment; Kim Seon-jung, Head of Strategic Support at Kakao Entertainment; Kim Jae-hyun, Head of the Kaon Business Office at Kakao Mobility; and Shin Ho-cheol, Head of the Payment Group at Kakao Pay, among other key executives from both sides, discussing various cooperation plans.
On the 23rd, Kakao held discussions with officials from the Saudi Arabian Tourism Authority at its Pangyo office to collaborate on building mobile infrastructure to promote tourism in Saudi Arabia. [Photo by Kakao]
Saudi Arabia has presented the 'Saudi Vision 2030,' which focuses on fostering high value-added industries such as culture and tourism, and has selected South Korea as one of its strategic partner countries. In the tourism industry, it is concentrating on improving convenience for tourists under the motto of 'Seamless Travel.' While promoting the advancement of tourism environments based on IT infrastructure, it is discussing with the Kakao community to continue cultural exchanges using K-content.
On this day, the Kakao community introduced the global expansion status of K-content such as webtoons and music to the Saudi Arabian Tourism Authority. They also shared major businesses in the fields of tech-finance, mobility, and communication platforms and discussed collaboration.
Both sides explored building a payment system for Saudi tourists through Kakao Pay, advancing the car-hailing and vehicle control system infrastructure within Saudi Arabia, developing a local customized information-sharing platform using KakaoTalk, and supporting business. In particular, considering that half of Saudi Arabia's population is under 30 years old and there is high enthusiasm for K-content among the younger generation, they also discussed ways to link Kakao Entertainment's intellectual property (IP) business with the cultural tourism industry.
Kakao plans to contribute to enhancing convenience for Saudi citizens and tourists, revitalizing local tourism businesses, and strengthening cultural competitiveness starting with this discussion. Shin, Head of the Strategic Planning Group, said, "We are pleased to introduce Kakao community's IT ecosystem and have meaningful conversations for exchanges between the two countries," adding, "We will actively cooperate to advance the overall tourism infrastructure environment in Saudi Arabia and to continue cultural-technology exchanges between the two countries based on Kakao's diverse technological capabilities."
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