RIYADH: The Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage (SCTNH) has teamed up with the Four Seasons Hotel to promote the local handicraft industry.
The move is intended to give a renewed boost to the Kingdom’s handicraft industry for which a high-powered panel has been set up under the chairmanship of Prince Sultan bin Salman, SCTNH chief.
This was disclosed by Rolf Lippuner, general manager of the Four Seasons Hotel, in a press conference here on Wednesday. The press conference was addressed by top SCTNH and Four Seasons officials including Dr. Jasir Alherbish, general director of SCTNH’s Saudi Handicrafts Program (Barea), and Tarek Bekhiet, Four Seasons’ regional director of marketing.
Naif bin Abdulaziz Altamimi, Four Seasons assistant executive manager for human resources and administration, and Tony Coveney, hotel manager, were also present.
Lippuner, in his introductory speech, said that “the SCTNH will display a range of handicrafts in our iconic Ramadan tent this year.” Saudi Arabia, he said, seeks to develop its handicraft sector in a sustainable manner.
“Hence, we are closely working with the SCTNH to promote arts and handicrafts.” He said that “the incredible Ramadan tent, with a capacity to accommodate 1,600 people to break their fast, “will be different this year with improved services, like live cooking as well as excellent decor and ambience.”
Spelling out the main features of the initiative to promote handicrafts, SCTNH Director Alherbish said that the SCTNH has managed to find marketing outlets in collaboration with commercial centers in Riyadh, Jeddah, Tabuk and Dammam for marketing handicraft products. He pointed out that more than 2,200 craftsmen and women have been identified in 13 regions across the Kingdom currently involved in the production of a range of handicrafts.
“According to a conservative estimate, the size of the Saudi handicrafts market is about SR1 billion,” said Alherbish, adding that the National Handicrafts Steering Committee chaired by Prince Sultan, is exerting all efforts to develop the local handicrafts industry. The committee also works to develop the training skills and qualifications of artisans and craftsmen.
“Craftsmen and their works are increasingly at the vanguard of the promotion of Saudi culture,” said the SCTNH official. Saudi handicrafts, including some to be displayed at the Four Seasons, include a range of metalwork objects, wooden items, lacquer ware, clay-made objects, inlay works and rosaries. These are in addition to handicrafts woven with date leaves, ropes and earthen objects, besides those related to camel rearing.
The Four Seasons in Riyadh is a major hotel with a range of amenities including a spa, fitness center, squash, racket ball and tennis courts, and an outdoor pool. A women-only floor, with an exercise room and a lounge, is another attraction of the hotel. There are also three restaurants, a plush lobby bar and a world-class business center.
The move is intended to give a renewed boost to the Kingdom’s handicraft industry for which a high-powered panel has been set up under the chairmanship of Prince Sultan bin Salman, SCTNH chief.
This was disclosed by Rolf Lippuner, general manager of the Four Seasons Hotel, in a press conference here on Wednesday. The press conference was addressed by top SCTNH and Four Seasons officials including Dr. Jasir Alherbish, general director of SCTNH’s Saudi Handicrafts Program (Barea), and Tarek Bekhiet, Four Seasons’ regional director of marketing.
Naif bin Abdulaziz Altamimi, Four Seasons assistant executive manager for human resources and administration, and Tony Coveney, hotel manager, were also present.
Lippuner, in his introductory speech, said that “the SCTNH will display a range of handicrafts in our iconic Ramadan tent this year.” Saudi Arabia, he said, seeks to develop its handicraft sector in a sustainable manner.
“Hence, we are closely working with the SCTNH to promote arts and handicrafts.” He said that “the incredible Ramadan tent, with a capacity to accommodate 1,600 people to break their fast, “will be different this year with improved services, like live cooking as well as excellent decor and ambience.”
Spelling out the main features of the initiative to promote handicrafts, SCTNH Director Alherbish said that the SCTNH has managed to find marketing outlets in collaboration with commercial centers in Riyadh, Jeddah, Tabuk and Dammam for marketing handicraft products. He pointed out that more than 2,200 craftsmen and women have been identified in 13 regions across the Kingdom currently involved in the production of a range of handicrafts.
“According to a conservative estimate, the size of the Saudi handicrafts market is about SR1 billion,” said Alherbish, adding that the National Handicrafts Steering Committee chaired by Prince Sultan, is exerting all efforts to develop the local handicrafts industry. The committee also works to develop the training skills and qualifications of artisans and craftsmen.
“Craftsmen and their works are increasingly at the vanguard of the promotion of Saudi culture,” said the SCTNH official. Saudi handicrafts, including some to be displayed at the Four Seasons, include a range of metalwork objects, wooden items, lacquer ware, clay-made objects, inlay works and rosaries. These are in addition to handicrafts woven with date leaves, ropes and earthen objects, besides those related to camel rearing.
The Four Seasons in Riyadh is a major hotel with a range of amenities including a spa, fitness center, squash, racket ball and tennis courts, and an outdoor pool. A women-only floor, with an exercise room and a lounge, is another attraction of the hotel. There are also three restaurants, a plush lobby bar and a world-class business center.
