Ashraf AboArafe
Dubai – Riyadh – The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, represented by the Saudi Tourism Authority, concluded its remarkable participation in the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) in its 30th edition. Which was held in Dubai from 1 to 4 May 2023
The Saudi pavilion received more than 40,000 visitors, who interacted with 67 partners of the Saudi tourism system. And they looked at more than 500 tourism experiences ready for booking and receiving visitors.
The Saudi pavilion embodied the inspiring journey of transformation in the country through unique cultural activities and smart interactive shows that simulate originality, hospitality and diversity, remarkable commercial mobility and unprecedented numbers of visitors, partners and signed agreements.
Visitors also enjoyed the famous folk dances, Arabic calligraphy, and the Saudi café. And they traveled through virtual reality technologies to the holy lands, destinations and tourist attractions
The Saudi Tourism Authority announced an unprecedented number of meetings, exceeding 140% of the expected number of meetings, in addition to signing 53 memorandums of understanding, which is a record number of partnerships concluded with major companies and prestigious brands at the level of the Kingdom, the region and the world.
Among them, memorandums of understanding emerged with Careem, Visa, Almosafer, Odegio, FTI, and Travel Port, which is evidence of the confidence of major investors around the world in the Saudi tourism sector, as partnerships focused on attracting travelers, promoting destinations, exchanging experiences and data, and benefiting from technologies. Modern and developing tourist experience.
The Saudi pavilion was visited by Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the second deputy ruler of Dubai, in addition to many leaders, experts, officials and the media.
Fahd Hamid Al-Din, CEO and member of the Saudi Tourism Authority Council, said about these successes: “The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia participated in this international forum to inspire the world with the Kingdom’s vision, the journey of transformation, the succession of achievements and the size of the huge opportunities, and the consolidation of Saudi Arabia’s position and the strengthening of its successes and records in the number of partners.” Partnerships, packages and experiences
The CEO added, “The Kingdom is witnessing rapid growth, as the number of visitors in general, and visitors coming from outside the Kingdom, in addition to the number of pilgrims, exceeded all targets and expectations, especially with the opening of a number of major projects and tourist attractions around the Kingdom.”
The CEO and member of the Board of Directors of the Saudi Tourism Authority, Fahd Hamid Al-Din, participated in two dialogue sessions within the activities of the Arabian Travel Market, and stressed during the first session the Kingdom’s position, which includes the largest investment opportunities in the world, and what distinguishes it from the legislative environment. and organizational works to advance business and empower partners from inside and outside the Kingdom,
Also participating in the dialogue session were Ross Fitch, Co-Founder and CEO of Wego, and David Loiseau, CEO of Meeting Point International.
Fahd Hamid Al-Din participated in a second dialogue session that brought together the Minister of Tourism of the Kingdom of Bahrain, Fatima Al-Sairafi, the Minister of State in the United Arab Emirates, Abdullah Al-Saleh, and the Minister of Tourism and Heritage of the Sultanate of Oman, Salem bin Muhammad Al-Mahrouqi, where they discussed the future of travel in the GCC countries. Gulf and the opportunities available through innovation, cooperation and preservation of originality
It should be noted that “Nusuk”, the unified national platform for those visiting Makkah and Madinah, launched and supervised by the Saudi Tourism Authority, participated for the first time in the Saudi pavilion at the Arabian Travel Market in Dubai. It has more than 20 partners, representing the most important Umrah companies, organizing trips and providing services to the pilgrims.
Among the partners of the Saudi tourism system this year were the Royal Commission for the City of Makkah and the Holy Sites, the Makkah Region Development Authority, the Madinah Development Authority, the Royal Commission for Al-Ula Governorate, Al-Diriyah Company, Historic Jeddah “Al-Balad”, and the Al-Balad Company. Al Souda Development, Saudi Cruise, Qiddiya Investment Company, NEOM Company, and the Red Sea Project Company, in addition to a number of tourist destinations, major projects, tour operators, hotels, tourism and travel companies, and airlines.
The Kingdom’s participation in this global tourism forum came; At a time when travelers are anticipating the new surprises that the Saudi summer brings, in addition to the various activities and the moderate atmosphere on the shores of the Red Sea, the cold weather, the activities and the enjoyable experiences in the highlands of the south of the Kingdom, this participation coincided with the presence of the world football icon, the star Lionel Messi. Saudi Tourism Ambassador.
The city of Riyadh is on a family vacation for two days
