Ashraf AboArafe
Riyadh – The work of the first edition of the Saudi Tourism Forum (STF), which lasted for three days, was concluded with the presence of a large number of visitors, specialists and those interested in the tourism sector, and the participation of more than 350 authorities specialized in Saudi tourism, and a large number of Saudi and international leaders and experts at the Riyadh International Convention and Exhibition Center.
The forum, which was held under the slogan “Babic Tourism”, witnessed the signing of more than 35 agreements and memorandums of understanding between the various parties. The available opportunities, the field of tourism education and training, in addition to the role of technology in tourism, government partnerships in enabling the tourism sector, the challenges of localization in the sector, as well as the future of tourism human capabilities and the hospitality industry.
The Saudi Tourism Forum was accompanied by the establishment of an exhibition in which a large number of companies specialized in the tourism industry participated. Whether in the field of hotel services or tourism services in general, where all the services and products they provide were introduced, tourism programs and products were displayed, activated and promoted, while offering many special offers and discounts on accommodation and tourism services to visitors of the exhibition.
On this occasion, the Chairman of the Organizing Committee of the Saudi Tourism Forum, Engineer Hamza Nasser, praised the unlimited support of the wise leadership of Saudi tourism, to achieve the goals of this sector in accordance with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030, and the integration of the roles of the Saudi tourism system. The Ministry of Tourism, the Saudi Tourism Authority and the Tourism Development Fund, pointing out that all of this will contribute to raising the level of services and developing infrastructure, and supporting and promoting tourism activities and events. To consolidate the Kingdom’s position on the global tourism map.
He appreciated the support provided by the government sector to the forum, and the great efforts made by the Saudi Tourism Authority in organizing it, and thanked all partners in the travel and tourism sectors, speakers and those in charge of organizing the forum.
Eng. Hamzah Nasser said: “The Saudi Tourism Forum, in its first session and over the course of 3 days, was able to achieve successes that exceeded expectations, achieving its main goals, by concluding more than 35 agreements and memorandums of understanding that will contribute to supporting and developing domestic tourism and local destinations, encouraging investment attraction, and developing education.” Tourism training, raising the rate of Emiratisation in the tourism sector, and improving the quality of tourism services.
He added: “The forum also contributed to strengthening the Kingdom’s position as a global tourist destination that attracts local and international visitors and tourists, the growth and sustainability of the national tourism sector, and launching as a main meeting point for specialists in the tourism industry in the Kingdom, as well as promoting destinations, programs, experiences, products and tourism offers to visitors from inside and outside the Kingdom.” Building partnerships and exchanging information, visions and ideas to develop tourism products.
It is noteworthy that the Saudi Tourism Forum identified in its first edition a number of main objectives, which include; Providing opportunities for direct communication, consolidating relations with key partners in the travel and tourism sectors, enhancing the attraction of regional and international tourists to national destinations, as well as supporting the marketing of Saudi tourism products to foreign companies.
