The seventh edition of Riyadh Travel Fair (RTF 2015) opened here on Tuesday.

Khalid Al-Otaibi, secretary general of the Council of Saudi Chambers (CSC), inaugurated the annual travel and tour fair at Four Seasons hotel. The world’s major tourism companies are participating in the show aiming to forge new links and tie-ups.

Al-Otaibi said the RTF happens to be an interesting platform that throws open wide space to traveling services and solutions, tour planning services, tourism guiding services, tour conducting essentials, and other products and services that are associated with the travel industry. He interacted with participants while touring the fair.

Bander Al-Gryni, general manager ASAS exhibitions, the principal organizer of the fair, said: “We are happy to open RTF 2015 as one of the biggest travel and tourism trade shows in the Kingdom specialized in B2B and B2C dealings.”

The fair, with exhibitors from all over the world, has been successful in attracting visitors, he said, adding that the fair has surpassed its boundaries to become the largest travel exhibition to date with a substantial increase of about 20 percent in the number of exhibitors as against the previous year.

This year, the UAE and Turkey have strong presence along with all the seven emirates of the UAE, which have come up with their exhibitors and information booths to forge better links and promote local tourism.

Experiencing continuous successes since RTF's inception in 2009, Saudi Tourism has put up a huge stall with information brochures in Arabic and English, and focus on tourism related facilities .

The tourism ministries and boards participating in RTF 2015 have come from Oman, Bahrain, Jordan, Hungary, Austria, Indonesia, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Korea and the Netherlands.

Speaking to Arab News, Ali Yavuz Hacimustafaoglu, general manager, esas travel, Turkey, said: "This is our second year at RTF, following our last year’s experience; we aim to expand our footprint and forge new links.

Safwan A. Makhdari, a senior executive from Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority said: “It’s a good experience to be here as the fair boasts innovative travelling solutions and services, and promises a unique experience to all visitors and participants in order to have better links.

Maher Mohammed Qaryouti of Jordan Tourism Board applauded the organizer of the fair, where major tourism companies from all over the world participate.

He, however, urged the organizer for better coordination and planning among participating travel and tourism professionals to offer better solutions to the public keen to discover exciting and exotic travel destinations.

Mohamed Shaaz Waleed, managing director of Resort Life, Maldives, which is participating in RTF for the first time, told Arab News: "It’s a good opportunity to seek better coordination as, so far, the number of Saudi tourists to Maldives is not huge, although it is a popular tourist destination with free visas for everyone.

He, however, expressed hope that the number is expected to go up, especially after the family trip last year by then Crown Prince and now Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman.

"We are positive that more people will come at RTF 2015 to inquire about Maldives," he said.

Yamen Albassatina, trade and investment officer at the Netherlands Embassy, said: "RTF is a good opportunity to present ourselves in the best way and let the Saudi people know better about the Netherlands."

About 200 exhibitors from 50 countries are participating in the fair, according to the organizers. The visitors this year will have direct access to participating tourism authorities, hotels, airlines and travel agents.