Faisal, Emir of Makkah Region, has approved “The Gate to Tourism,” a four-day travel and tourism exhibition here starting on Dec. 20. Some 200 exhibitors are expected to participate in the show that seeks to help develop and support the growing sector in Saudi Arabia. The program will include a guide for Saudi tourist sites and tourism services and activities provided by the Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities. The organizing committee of the exhibition held an introductory meeting Wednesday in Jeddah, where officials discussed the exhibition and tourism in Saudi Arabia. Sheikh Saleh Abdullah Kamel, chairman of the board of the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said Jeddah is an ideal city for a travel and tourism exhibition. “The exhibition aims to display Jeddah tourism, that, unfortunately, people don't know about,” he said. Jeddah has many beautiful places to visit and is distinguished by its gorgeous 48-kilometer seafront, he said. Kamel pointed out that Jeddah has some 360 malls and markets in addition to hundreds of restaurants, which provide diverse options for visitors and investors. “Jeddah is the main gate to the holy sites and this adds to the city's distinction,” he added. However, Kamel noted that while Jeddah is an excellent destination for tourists that does not mean its residents, particularly young people, should depart from their traditions and customs. “I would like to call upon our youths who go to malls to annoy shoppers to stop their bad habits so their behavior does not create a bad image,” he said. Kamel, who criticized violations of dressing traditions, said he believes tourism does not necessarily contradict with women wearing the hijab. “Regrettably, some of our youths imitate the negative sides in the Western culture; they are supposed to take the positive ones,” he said. He added that tourism is an important economic source of income that can also create job opportunities for the youths. Mohammed Al-Amri, executive director of the Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities in Makkah region, pointed out that about five million tourists visit Jeddah every year. He added that initial procedures have been taken to include Jeddah on a list of global heritage sites. Maya Halfawi, head of the exhibition's organizing committee, who stressed the importance of spreading the culture of tourism in the new generations, said Saudis should learn about their country's historical, cultural and religious tourism sites. Halfawi said the exhibition comes at the time when an increasing number of Saudi tourists are traveling to international destinations — and spending a considerable amount of money in doing so. “Some four million Saudi tourists go abroad on tourism journeys where they spend about SR188 billion on a yearly basis,” she said. The event is part of the effort to enhance tourism in Saudi Arabia and reduce the number of Saudi tourists who go abroad, Halfawi said. Halfawi noted that a survey has revealed that some 20 million national and international tourists have visited Saudi sites. “About 45 percent of those are domestic tourists, 59 percent of whom have traveled around the western region of the Kingdom,” she said. Halfawi, who pointed out that the exhibition will target agencies that are interested in travel and tourism, hotels, aviation companies and all related sectors, said their participation reflects their interest and support to the local tourism sector. Halfawi said that the exhibition will include many events and activities including workshops on the electronic tourism marketing,” she said. She also added that people can learn more about the exhibition by visiting www.jttx
