More than 14 million foreigners visited the Kingdom last year, of whom half came to perform religious rituals and others came for business, family visits and tourism, said Hamad Al-Sheikh, vice president of the Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities (SCTA).

Al-Sheikh made the statement during a tourism media event recently held at the Riyadh Palace Hotel. The event was attended by numerous senior government officials, investors in the sector, airline company executives, media experts and Turkey’s cultural and tourism attaché.

The meeting discussed several issues concerning tourism media and ways to promote this vital industry.

Participants applauded the size and volume of media content in the tourism field, but argued that the means and models used to publish such information would be more effective using modern technology.

This includes creative photography, film-making and video clips, they said.

Participants also suggested making use of money made from pilgrims to support local tourism programs and highlighted the necessity of transforming Jeddah’s airport into a tourist-friendly facility.

The evening announced the launch of an initiative that has Saudi media personalities specialized in the tourism and travel sector on its panel.

The team is a voluntary group that will work to serve and promote domestic tourism.

The group will also disseminate a sense of tourism culture, raise awareness among tourists, work on the issue of tourism guidance and publish the concept of tourism media by adopting training programs and outreach campaigns.

Mohammad Al-Abul Karim, head of the up and coming Saudi tourist center and head of the team, said that the yearly event aims to unify forces for enhancing much-needed tourism awareness among residents.

Al-Abul Karim thanked the Riyadh Palace Hotel for hosting the evening and Flynas for their support for the event.