JEDDAH, 23 September 2005 — The strengthening of cooperation between Saudi Arabia and India in promoting tourism through their national carriers was in focus at a tourism roadshow presided over by Saudi Arabian Airlines Director General Dr. Khaled A. Ben-Bakr here on Wednesday night.
“India is a fabulous country with many destinations and has great potential to attract millions of tourists every year,” Ben-Bakr said at the roadshow held at the Trident Hotel, as part of the ongoing India Festival organized by the Consulate General of India.
“Through such road shows, people will be able to know more about India and will certainly help them in exploring destinations of choice to spend some wonderful moments amid impeccable Indian warmth and hospitality,” he added.
The audience, which included local businessmen, airline representatives and travel agents, was treated to a program comprising glimpses of India’s scenic beauty, and rich cultural heritage.
Saudi Indian Business Network (SIBN), which hosted the roadshow jointly with the consulate, hopes to open an India Tourism office in the Kingdom in the interest of the traveling public and travel agents, Indian Consul General Dr. Ausaf Sayeed said during the formal inauguration of the road show earlier in the day.
Saudia’s Vice President Marketing Abdul A. Al-Hazmi opened the event and interacted with exhibitors. “Saudia in association with India’s domestic carrier Jet Airways will do everything possible to develop tourism into India,” Al-Hazmi said, adding that Saudia and Air-India (A-I), which operate direct flights between the two countries and also share the transport of Haj pilgrims, can be a great success factor in this effort.