250+ exhibitors expected at RTF
To be held from April 12-15, over the years Riyadh Travel Fair (RTF) has become one of the biggest events in Saudi Arabia with over 200 exhibitors participating from over 50 countries. catches up with Sheikh Hafeez, Director of Sales and Marketing, ASAS E
Q What are your expectations from the event this year?
This year’s expectation is higher compared to last year. We expect more than 250 exhibitors representing more than 55 countries, national pavilions and seminars and welcome an anticipated 20,000 visitors. Riyadh Travel Fair (RTF) 2016, Saudi Arabia’s leading travel industry showcase, will open its doors for the eighth consecutive year, with the 2016 edition to be located at the Al Faisaliah Hotel, Riyadh from April 12–15, 2016. The fourday event will become the focus of business networking opportunities, insightful seminar sessions, ministerial discussions and the recognition of 12 months of the tourism industry’s achievements. The 2016 edition will be the largest on record with an increase in both the number of exhibitors and expected visitor arrivals. Over 50 national and regional pavilions will have a prominent presence with the show floor space also increased by 11% compared to the 2015 event. The expectations are really high this year as we are having all our partners and big tourism boards increasing or keeping the same space and bringing in new co-exhibitors for the introduction into Saudi market through RTF.
Q What are the targeted markets and who are the key players?
Riyadh Travel Fair is targeted at both travel professionals and the general public looking for in-depth destination information and special deals. Visitors to the 2016 edition will be able to interact directly with various tourism authorities, hotels, airlines and travel agents from around the world. The Arabian Gulf region will have a strong presence at the fair including pavilions sponsored by; Abu Dhabi Tourism & Cultural Authority, Qatar Tourism Authority, Sharjah Commerce & Tourism Development Authority, Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority and Oman Tourism. National pavilions confirmed to attend include those of: Austria, Hungary, Jordan, the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Seychelles, Turkey, Morocco, Tunisia, Bursa and Korea, to name just a few.
Exhibitors from Asia, Oceania, Europe and North Africa will also be present, along with hotels, airlines, travel agencies, online booking sites, and car rental companies such as Rotana, Lufthansa, Al Riyadh Travel and Tourism, MATATO, TravZilla, Dollar Rent A Car, Fursan Travel, and Flyin, to name a few.
Riyadh Travel Fair is organised by ASAS Exhibition and Conference Organising company under the sponsorship of Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority & Qatar Tourism Authority as (Strategic Partner), Sharjah Tourism (Diamond Sponsor), Al Riyadh Travel and Tourism (Gold Sponsor), Fujairah Tourism and Antiques & Flyin.com (Silver Sponsor). The Target Market is all the travel tourism Groups.
Q How does it contribute to the growth of the region?
We are regularly getting feedbacks from all our Tourism Boards as they are continuously having 10-15 per cent more Saudis going into their destinations due to Riyadh Travel fair. With Saudi nationals’ increasingly travelling both domestically and overseas, the opportunities that the Riyadh Travel Fair provides for domestic and overseas destinations, hospitality service providers and other tourism related businesses, to directly meet with the kingdom’s leading travel professionals and travellers has never been more significant.
Q How is this year different from last year?
Last year the Riyadh Travel Fair featured 219 exhibitors with visitor attendance at 17,573. That was an increase of 15 per cent compared to the 2014 edition. This year will continue our year-onyear growth as exhibitors hit over 250 and expected visitor numbers over 20,000. Also this year, we are having more local travel agents participating to RTF to promote more B2B interactions between stakeholders.
This year will continue our growth as exhibitors hit over 250 and expected visitor numbers over 20,000