RIYADH — The 2014 edition of Riyadh travel fair rolls on at the Four Season Hotel here with Prince Turki Bin Abdullah, Deputy Governor of Riyadh, gracing the occasion on its opening day on Tuesday. Prince Turki is also the Vice President of the Kingdom's Tourism Development Council. The opening ceremony was attended by a number of officials from the participating government tourism organizations, senior government officials, diplomats, as well as travel and tourism professionals from Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries. The 2014 travel fair marks the sixth edition of the event which has been going on up to Friday. With an 18 percent increase in the number of exhibitors from last year, the Riyadh Travel Fair has positioned itself as the largest tourism activity of its kind in the Kingdom. More than 200 exhibitors from 48 countries participated in the event. The Riyadh Travel Fair is opened to travel professionals and the general public and is expected to draw a rising number of visitors at roughly 20 percent from last year. About 14,000 visitors attended the 2013 edition and about 20,000 visitors this year. After thanking Prince Turki for patronizing the event, Bander Al-Gryni, General Manager ASAS Exhibitions, said the sixth international travel fair is “indicative of the government's support and concern to further develop the travel and tourism sector.” “The Riyadh Travel Fair has become an major travel and tourism event in the Kingdom, and we are proud that an increasing number of exhibitors has joined representing local, Gulf, Arab and international destinations,” he said. Visitors to the fair could directly engage with the numerous exhibitors representing various tourism organizations, tourist boards, travel operators and agencies, as well as hotels, international airlines and wellness therapeutic resorts. Additionally, organizers are promising many surprises throughout the event to excite and enthral visitors. Strategic Partners of the Riyadh Travel Fair with an extended presence at the event include the Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority, as well as Al Muayed Tourist & Travel Agency. The Ministry of Tourism, Sultanate of Oman joined as a Platinum Partner, while the Government of Sharjah Department of Commerce and Tourism Development is participating as a Gold Partner. The online booking site “Flyin.com” and Fujairah Authority for Tourism and Antiquities have a strong presence as Silver Partners. The Saudi Commission for Tourism & Antiquities is participating with its own pavilion to highlight the attractions of the Kingdom's various regions and their potential for domestic tourism development. Other countries to feature at the event for the first time include Mauritius, Seychelles, Australia, Singapore and Sri Lanka. – SG
