RIYADH, 18 March 2008 — The Supreme Commission for Tourism (SCT), Saudi Arabia’s body aimed at developing the country’s nascent tourism industry, has urged investors in the Gulf region and around the world to seize the opportunity to invest in the tourism sector in the Kingdom.
Addressing a press conference yesterday to highlight the activities of “the Saudi Travel & Tourism Market” on Sunday, Prince Sultan ibn Salman, secretary-general of the SCT, said Saudi Arabia was full of investment opportunities in the tourism sector for locals, Gulf citizens and international corporations in the tourism and real estate sectors.
He said that many government bodies in the Kingdom that are involved in the tourism sector would also participate in the event, such as the Ministry of Municipality and Rural Affairs, the Saudi General Investment Authority (SAGIA), the Ministry of Trade and Commerce and the Council of Saudi Chambers of Commerce and Industry.
“The symposium offers investment opportunities in the tourism sector for Saudi businessmen and others who are interested in entering the Saudi tourism market,” the prince said.
Among the areas that are rich in investment in the Saudi tourism sector are the Farasan Islands, Taif and the Red Sea coastline.
Prince Sultan admitted that the tourism sector in Saudi Arabia was still facing problems, adding that many government bodies were now cooperative with the SCT in establishing its futuristic vision. Among the challenges he said the SCT faced in the Kingdom was creating awareness among locals about the importance of local tourism as a national and economic entity.
“We are dealing with sensitive issues when it comes to the tourism industry,” said Prince Sultan. “We have to respect the ideology of the citizen. At the same time we want the public media to create an objective picture of local tourism.”
The prince said the three-day international symposium would witness a number of important workshops in which local and international experts would highlight the potentials of Saudi tourism. He also said that a number of cultural events would also take place on the sidelines of the symposium, such as Saudi handicraft exhibitions and various folklore activities.
Several local, Gulf and international companies that are specialized in the tourism sector are expected to attend the event next week.
