Riyadh Travel Fair (RTF) 2017, Saudi Arabia’s leading travel industry showcase, opened its doors for the ninth consecutive year in Riyadh on April 7 with more than 270 exhibitors from 55 countries taking part.

The fair, organised by ASAS Exhibition and Conference Organizing Company, is being held at Prince Sultan Grand Hall, Al Faisaliah Hotel, till April 10.
 
The fair was inaugurated by Majid A Al-Hokair, chairman of the Committee for Tourism and Entertainment Riyadh Chamber and chairman of board directors for Riyadh International Conference and Exhibition Center.

The four-day event will become the focus of business networking opportunities, insightful seminar sessions, ministerial discussions and the recognition of twelve months of the tourism industry’s achievements.

The 2017 edition is the largest on record with an increase in both the number of exhibitors and expected visitor arrivals. 270 exhibitors are present representing 55 countries. Over 50 national and regional pavilions have a prominent presence with the show floor space also increased by 10% compared to the 2016 event.

Bander Algryni, general manager of ASAS Exhibitions, said: “The 2017 edition is the largest Riyadh Travel Fair to date thereby extending our prominence as the leading travel and tourism exhibition in the kingdom. More than 250 exhibitors from tourism boards, airlines, tour operators and hotels from more than 50 countries are currently present in the exhibition.

"It’s been a year of growth not only for the tourism and hospitality industry in the Kingdom, but for RTF; and with Saudi nationals increasingly travelling overseas at a greater number year on year, the opportunities that the RTF provides for domestic and overseas destinations, hospitality service providers and other tourism related businesses, to directly meet with the kingdom’s leading travel professionals and travellers has never been more significant.”

The 2016 edition of the Riyadh Travel Fair saw a total recorded number of visitors reach 20,000. Total visitor numbers for the 2017 edition are expected to further increase with a projected number of 30,000 visitors.

The Riyadh Travel Fair is open to both travel professionals and the general public looking for in-depth destination information and special deals.

Visitors to the 2017 edition will be able to interact directly with various tourism authorities, hotels, airlines and travel agents from around the world.

The Arabian Gulf region has a strong presence at the fair including pavilions sponsored by Abu Dhabi Tourism & Cultural Authority (Strategic Partner), Sharjah Commerce & Tourism Development Authority (Diamond Sponsor), Al-Riyadh Travel & Tourism (Gold Sponsors), Alia Travel (Silver Sponsor) and Careem (Transportation Sponsor). Indonesia Tourism is the Platinum Partner.

National pavilions attending include: Austria, Kyoto Japan, Philippines, Doka, Orange County California, Sri Lanka, Seychelles, Slovenia, Turkey, Morocco, Tunisia, Bursa ,Taiwan, Mexico, Holland, Maldives and Korea, to name just a few.

Exhibitors from Asia, Oceania, Europe and North Africa will also be present, along with hotels, airlines, travel agencies, online booking sites, and car rental companies such as Rotana, Lufthansa, MATATO, Thrifty , Dollar Rent A Car, Fursan Travel, and AirFrance & KLM , to name a few.

This year, RTF has introduced a platform for niche tourism market and segments. For the first time, RTF will present activities and packages targeted to Youth Travel and Medical Tourism. Exhibitors are presenting digital innovations such as Virtual Reality (VR) goggles, information on new youth travel destinations, events and festivals as well as medical tourism destinations and packages.

Sheikh Imran Hafeez, director of sales and marketing, ASAS Exhibitions said: “Attending RTF 2017 will instantly transport you all over the world with an array of holiday packages offers, destination promotions and value added discounts and bonus all in one roof.” - TradeArabia News Service