Saudi Travel and Tourism Investment Market Event 2008 Kicks off In Riyadh
The Saudi Supreme Commission for Tourism launches a prize for the best media coverage of the conference and its related events
Held under the patronage of HH Prince Salman Bin Abdul Aziz, Emir of Riyadh region the first Saudi Travel & Tourism Investment Market 2008 (STTIM) opens today at Faisaliah Hotel in Riyadh.
The four-day conference which is organized by the Saudi Supreme Commission for Tourism under the slogan “Tourism is for everyone… Partnership for Sustainable Development”, aims to develop the tourism industry in the kingdom in relation to accommodation, services and investment opportunities. The conference will bring together a number of Arab and international speakers to discuss the investment opportunities and the potential of Saudi Arabia’s travel and tourism market.
“The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is witnessing high growth in the travel and tourism sector,” said HH Prince Sultan Bin Salman Bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud, the Secretary General of the Supreme Commission on Tourism. “This conference will provide a great opportunity for both public and private sectors to exchange ideas on how to increase awareness about tourism in the Kingdom and its strategic importance both economically and socially. I want to assure investors that all the projects we are planning to launch soon will be based on a high level of transparency and neutrality.”
His Highness’ comments came during a workshop organized by the commission, about the correlation relationship between media and the tourism industry. The workshop aimed to highlight the importance of tourism industry and the need to promote a tourism culture among Saudis. During the workshop, the commission announced a prize for the best media coverage of the conference and its related events. The Distinguished journalists will be honored in a special ceremony to be held at the end of the conference.
The workshop, which was opened by Abdullah Al-Johani, the deputy secretary-general of the Supreme Commission for Tourism, featured a number of highly skilled speakers. Dr. Mohammed bin Abdul-Aziz Al- Hizan presented a working paper on the role media playing in shaping the image of tourism destinations noting that the importance of media coverage stems from the importance of the tourism industry itself, as media considers an important and essential tool in changing or verifying different perceptions. Dr. Fahd Al- Jarbou’, the Deputy Assistant- General of the Supreme Commission for Tourism, and the Chairman of the Executive Committee of the conference, presented the different events and activities that will be taking place during the conference.
“This conference will soon be one of the most important annual gatherings in the field of tourism and travel industry in the Kingdom,” added Al- Johani. “We have chosen the title “Tourism for Everyone Partnership for Sustainable Development” from the fact that the tourism industry is addressed for all …public and private sectors, international and local partners including tour operators and airlines. We are striving to support and strengthen the sustainable developments of the tourism industry that are consistence with the Islamic values and the social, cultural and environmental aspects in the Kingdom.”
The STTIM sessions and workshops will include 25 papers related to tourism investment opportunities, the Kingdom's tourism potentials, the existing tourism products, tourism human resources, tourism information and others. The conference will also include a number of heritage and folklore events which will be organized in Al-Fiasaliah Hotel and King Abdul-Aziz Historical Center. The second day will witness an open discussion with His Prince Sultan Bin Salman Bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud, the Secretary General of the Supreme Commission for Tourism.
