A delegation from Elaf Group poses for a group photo during the 2nd edition of Haj & Umrah Services Exhibition in Jakarta.JEDDAH: The number of visitors to Makkah is expected to further grow this year after the Kingdom has successfully participated in a series of specialized exhibitions, seminars and workshops about Haj and Umrah. The Elaf Group for Travel, Tourism and Hotels represented the Kingdom in a number of leading global exhibitions, including the 2nd edition of Haj & Umrah Services Exhibition in Jakarta, which drew in more than 85 international companies from around the world, and the 2nd Haj and Umrah Exhibition, held in Malaysia recently with the participation of 250 leading companies involved in the field of providing integrated services to pilgrims. The group also participated in two workshops in Indonesia about religious tourism, wherein it made a presentation about the various services it offers through its 12 hotels located in Makkah and Madina. On the sidelines of the event, Elaf discussed the availability of qualified human resources in the Kingdom and as well as the facilities and services that are provided according to the highest standards of quality and excellence, to ensure that the needs of pilgrims and Umrah performers coming from all over the world are adequately met. "We were keen to participate in a series of exhibitions and seminars in Malaysia and Indonesia in line with our efforts to develop strategic partnerships with travel agencies, leading companies specialized in providing Haj & Umrah services, and to expand our customer base in Asia, as well as opening new channels to take advantage of promising opportunities. It also complements our efforts to enhance the standard of services, incentives and facilities provided to meet the needs of pilgrims and Umrah performers. Undoubtedly these events served as an important platform to promote direct communication with representatives of a number of leading companies and bodies involved in the tourism and travel sector. It also facilitated exchange of experiences and best practices with industry experts and specialists with the underlining goal of developing Hajj and Umrah services," said Ziyad Bin Mahfouz, CEO, Elaf Group. A commemorative plaque and award from the organizing committee of the Annual Umrah Exhibition in Indonesia was conferred on Elaf Group in recognition of its effective contribution to the event. Bin Mahfouz said the entire Elaf Group is committed to delivering services of the highest quality to support the initiatives of the General Authority for Tourism and Antiquities and firmly consolidate the Kingdom's position on the world tourism map. "This recognition motivates us to continue participating in various specialized exhibitions and international events covering the different aspects of tourism and the promotion of the most prominent tourist destinations in Saudi Arabia, which hold a high religious, historic and cultural value," he added. The group reaffirmed its commitment to maintain the best services and facilities, to continue expanding its portfolio of hotels as part of its commitment to accommodating the growing numbers of pilgrims and Umrah performers and to maintain its support to government efforts to strengthen the role of tourism, especially religious travel, given its importance to the national economy and as a facilitator of economic diversification in the Kingdom.
