Kingdom of Saudi Arabia participates in ATM 2006

More than 60 countries will be taking part in the high profile event, which is under the patronage of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and which will be attended by HRH Prince Sultan bin Salman, Secretary-General of the Supreme Commission for Tourism.

Saudi Arabia will unveil new initiatives aimed at further enhancing the profile of the country as a premiere tourist destination in the region, including launching new tourism destinations and packages, as well as tourism-related investment opportunities that are expected to draw the interest of event participants and guests.

The Kingdom’s 430 square meter pavilion will showcase recent efforts undertaken by the Commission to develop the tourism sector in the country, highlighting its geographical and cultural diversity. The pavilion houses different public and private sector tourism establishments operating in KSA.

The SCT has encouraged private sector companies in the country to take advantage of the opportunity to showcase their offers at the region’s premiere tourism expo, as well as expand their network when they interact with regional and global tourism industry players attending the annual event.

2006 marks the fourth time that Saudi Arabia is participating in the ATM, having successfully participated in previous years, closing deals worth more than SR200 million in 2005 alone.

The Supreme Commission for Tourism further announced that the tourism industry in Saudi Arabia is reaping the rewards of its intensive campaign to promote the country as shown by increased inbound travel reaching a high of 7.9 million trips with 99.3 million nights in hotel accommodation and total expenditures amounting to more than SR21 billion.

Local tourists contributed as much as SR34.6 billion in paying for 33.8 million trips and 207.5 million nights in hotel accommodation. 22 summer festivals were conducted in all five regions last year, representing a hefty 67 per cent increase. These figures confirm Saudi Arabia’s status as one of the more popular tourism destinations in the Middle East.

The ATM is the region’s biggest travel and tourism exposition attracting tourism companies, resort owners and operators, airlines and tourism service providers from all over the world. The 2006 ATM is the 14th edition of the event.