Saudi Supreme Commission for Tourism & Antiques explores investment opportunities to boost KSA's tourism sector

Members of the respective committees discussed the employment opportunities and requirements for skilled Saudi national labour force and explored investment opportunities and other strategies to help boost the Kingdom's tourism industry.

Present during the meeting was Ziyad Bin Mahfouz, President of the Elaf Group of Companies, a pioneering member of the Saudi hospitality and travel related industries. Bin Mahfouz shared his expert views with the investors. He recommended adopting a viable approach based on his vast industry experience and proposed enhanced coordination between the public and private sectors to help achieve the development plan of H.R.H. Prince Sultan Bin Salman Bin Abd al Aziz Al Saud, the Head of The Saudi Supreme Commission for Tourism and Antiques.

Bin Mahfouz confirmed that Elaf Group will spare no efforts in carrying out its commitments to help boost the Saudi travel and hospitality industry based on the directives set by H.R.H. Prince Sultan. He added that the Elaf Group has contributed significantly to the establishment of travel, tourism and hotel management practices in the Kingdom and reassured that the company will continue to support initiatives that aim to promote growth in KSA and work to achieve government targets.

The KSA Government substantially eased visa control and travel restrictions in 2006 and 2007 to attract tourists and consequently generate 1.5 million new jobs. It has been implementing major reforms and investing in large projects such as publicly-financed training programs and public-private partnerships to boost tourism. Industry members are contributing to the effort by offering budget accommodations to promote mass tourism. They are also eyeing European and Asian travelers in a bid to further diversify the tourist base.

"Two years ago this country aimed to expand the influx of domestic tourists to 128 million by 2020; this will require unified and focused efforts from all stakeholders to achieve. For its part, Elaf will continue to support initiatives that promote growth in the travel, tourism & hospitality sector that has emerged as a source revenue generator for the Kingdom,"

concluded Bin Mahfouz.