Global Arab Network | Saudi Arabia to boost tourism contribution to 11% of the GDP

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Saudi Arabia to boost tourism contribution to 11% of the GDP

Wednesday, 31 March 2010 03:37

Saudi government is working to boost tourism contribution to the national GDP to 11 per cent in the coming years and building a diverse and stable economy that offers jobs to Saudi nationals in various sectors.

The 3rd Saudi Travel and Tourism Investment Market 2010 will focus on growth prospects and investment opportunities available within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's tourism sector. Running from March 28 to April 1,2 2010 at the Riyadh International Exhibition Center, the forum will also review recruitment and training strategies being adopted by the local tourism and hospitality industries and their compliance with international standards.

Held under patronage of His Royal Highness Prince Salman Abdul Aziz, Prince of Riyadh, the event will serve as a comprehensive platform for reinforcing communication among key local, Arab and international tourism businesses and organisations. It will share knowledge and best practices for developing the tourism sector and maximizing its role in achieving sustainable growth and supporting the national economy. The forum was held under the theme 'Tourism and Provision of Job Opportunities' and will highlight job opportunities in the tourism sector, one of the major sectors of economic growth in the Kingdom.

The Forum was attended by major companies involved in tourism, hospitality and travel, including the Elaf Group of Companies for Travel, Tourism and Hotels which plans to launch new high-quality service and product packages that will further highlight its leading position in the Saudi market. The event will also include a series of workshops, seminars, and panel discussions covering industry challenges, financing tools, and strategies for launching new investment projects that tap the natural and economic resources of the Kingdom.

"The Forum is a very important initiative for supporting the KSA's tourism sector, which has been growing steadily over the past few years. During the event we will ensure that we adequately highlight available tourism opportunities in the Kingdom along with the rich cultural heritage which has been a key element in developing the industry. We will also share ideas and experiences with major regional and international businesses and organisations that focus on special tourism programs and Hajj and Umrah services," said Ziad Bin Mahfouz, CEO, Elaf Group.

"We would like to reiterate our commitment to providing high-quality services and expanding our portfolio to include four new hotels by 2012, in line with our goal of helping increase tourist travel to key destinations in the Kingdom. We will also continue to support government efforts to boost the contribution of tourism to the national GDP to 11 per cent in the coming years and help in building a diverse and stable economy that offers jobs to Saudi nationals in various sectors," he concluded.

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