2023.07.19
On 12 June 2023, Kotozna Inc. (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo, CEO Genri Goto, https://kotozna.com/en/) formalized a business partnership with Samoon Information Technology (Al Khayalah Riyadh 13326, Saudi Arabia) to launch Kotozna In-room, an information dissemination & communication tool for hotels, in Saudi Arabia. This partnership was unveiled by Prime Minister Kishida during his visit to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on 16 July. Saudi Arabia has been vigorously promoting its tourism sector under Vision 2030. This partnership comes at a crucial time, supporting the Kingdom’s ambitions by leveraging digital technology to enrich the tourist experience and streamline the hotel industry’s operations.
Pictured below is Kotozna Inc. and Samoon Information Technology during the signing of their MOA, solidifying a new partnership [Photo Provided by Ministry of Investment Saudi Arabia]. From the left: Iwai Fumio (Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia), Fahd Sami Alrayes, Genri Goto, Sami Alrayes (Chairman of Samoon), His Excellency Khalid A. Al-Falih (Minister of Investment of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia), Ihab M Ramadan (CEO of Samoon)
●Dynamic Expansion of Travel Tech Market Underway, Powered by Saudi Government’s Vision 2030 Economic Reform Plan
By 2030, under Vision 2030, Saudi Arabia aims to boost the contribution of tourism to 10% of its GDP. Initiated in 2016, the ambitious initiative is swiftly progressing, driving rapid growth in the Kingdom’s tourism sector. In response, numerous international hotel chains are seizing the opportunity for expansion, investing significantly in building new properties across the Kingdom.
Since January 2023, Kotozna has been actively participating in the Saudi Tourism Accelerator, an acceleration program organized by the Saudi Tourism Authority to accelerate the tourism and accommodation sectors in Saudi Arabia. In February, Kotozna was selected to exhibit at the Japan Pavilion at LEAP Tech Conference under Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO). At the event, we met with Samoon Information Technology and came to consider joint business development for the growing tourism industry in Saudi Arabia.
●Strategic Memorandum of Agreement Signed with Samoon for Distribution of Kotozna In-Room in Saudi Arabia; Sales Launch Anticipated by Year’s End
Recognizing the vibrant and immense potential of Saudi Arabia’s hospitality market, Kotozna visited the Kingdom again in May under the auspices of the investment promotion program of Japan Cooperation Center for the Middle East (JCCME) to firm up the collaboration plan with Samoon.
After months of collaborative efforts and in-depth discussions, both parties concluded with the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement in June. With this milestone, Kotozna and Samoon affirm their commitment to push the boundaries of the Kingdom’s hotel industry through digital transformation. Both companies are now working in close concert to tailor Kotozna In-Room to the needs of the Kingdom’s hospitality market, in anticipation of an end-of-the-year sales launch.
●CEO Genri Goto of Kotozna Inc. Accompanies Prime Minister Kishida on Middle East Economic Mission (16-18 July)
Kotozna joined a select delegation of 38 companies on Prime Minister Kishida’s economic mission to Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar. The tour aimed to fortify economic relations with Saudi Arabia, who is seeking to diversify its industries. Kotozna aims to enhance this bilateral partnership through contributions in tourism and generative AI.
Genri Goto, Chief Executive Officer at Kotozna, commented on the partnership, saying, “We are excited to partner with Samoon, a company that shares our vision for innovation. Through Kotozna In-Room, we aim to enhance and enrich the experience of both hoteliers and travelers in the Kingdom. We see strong, dynamic potential in Saudi Arabia’s tourism sector, and are confident that this collaboration will contribute to the Kingdom’s tourism promotion efforts under Vision 2030.
●About Samoon Information Technology:
Samoon is a leading technology provider Headquartered in Saudi Arabia, Riyadh. The company develops and distributes products in various fields including Fintech, Identity & Security, Cybersecurity, Cards and Payment.
https://samoongroup.com/