Promotion push for Saudi tourism
Saudi Arabia remains as the number one destination for religious tourism. In keeping with the Saudi Vision 2030, more properties are opening up with various offerings for tourism. Ziyad Bin Mahfouz, CEO, Elaf Group, shares some of the key strategies.
QPlease explain the role Elaf plays in promoting tourism in KSA.
The Elaf Group recognises tourism’s vital role in Saudi Arabia’s national economy. We have always taken a proactive stance in promoting Saudi Arabia as a key destination for activities such as tourism for religious purposes, particularly for Haj and Umrah pilgrimages, by developing innovative marketing strategies and promotional tours.
We place premium on maintaining the highest hospitality service standards to ensure visitors will have a memorable experience of Saudi Arabia’s unique hospitality. We also continuously engage our partners in the global market through inbound tourism packages ideal for exploring the country’s rich culture and most popular attractions.
QWhat are the steps being taken to improve the tourism sector in keeping with Saudi Vision 2030?
In line with Saudi Vision 2030, we have aligned our targets with the country’s goal to increase visitor footfall for religious purposes within the next five years, which is expected to reach 30 million by 2020.
One of the hospitality related corner stone of the Vision 2030 pertains to having three Saudi cities in the world top 100 cities. In line with this, we are opening another five star property in Jeddah in 2017 and opening one four star property each in Riyadh and Eastern region in the near future.
QPlease share with us how the government involves the private sector in its efforts to achieve Saudi Vision 2030.
The government is pushing for economic diversification and strengthening the role of the private sector in Saudi Arabia which makes it a key growth market. We have already been witnessing big changes such as the ramping up of tourism infrastructures, including roads and transports in order to make key tourism sites more accessible for tourists. The government has also been highly encouraging the involvement of the private sector through partnerships and the streamlining of regulations for tourism investments as well as providing incentives to businesses. These efforts will pave the way for the realisation of Saudi Vision 2030 given that tourism is a top priority in the agenda to strengthen the national economy. For our part, the Elaf Group is continuously focused on improving its operations and expanding its reach in KSA as well as across the GCC and the Middle East region, opening many new opportunities for businesses as well to participate. For example, we have recently held a marketing tour in key markets including Istanbul, Turkey; Cairo, Egypt; Casablanca, Morocco; and Makassar, Indonesia.
QIs there any new visa procedure for tourists offered by the government?
Saudi Arabia recently started the implementation of new visa fees to boost non-oil revenues. However, the fee is waived if the visitor is entering Saudi Arabia for the first time to perform the Haj pilgrimage or Umrah. In support of this move, Elaf has designed all its packages in a way that will make sure tourists enjoy and have a memorable experience during their visit to the Kingdom.
Saudi Arabia recently started the implementation of new visa fees to boost non-oil revenues. However, the fee is waived if the visitor is entering Saudi Arabia for the first time to perform the Haj pilgrimage or Umrah. Elaf has designed all its packages in a way that will make sure tourists enjoy and have a memorable experience