THE winners of the Saudi Excellence in Tourism Awards (SETA) were announced in a ceremony held as part of the Saudi Travel and Tourism Investment Market (STTIM) in Riyadh, by the Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities (SCTA).
On handing out the trophies, Prince Sultan Bin Salman, SCTA’s president, congratulated the winners and said he hoped the prize would give them a fresh impetus for developments and achievements in the kingdom’s tourism sector saying: “SCTA will always support the tourism industry with all possible means.”
With 25 categories across eight different groups the Saudi Excellence in Tourism Awards aims at to recognise outstanding achievements by individuals and organisations involved in the Kingdom’s growing tourism industry.
The President’s Award went to Prince Mansour Bin Miteb Bin Abdul Aziz, Minister of Municipal and Rural Affairs, for his significant contribution to the development of tourism in the Kingdom.
The Old Council Souk in Al-Mozanab in Al-Qassim won SETA’s Best Tourism Attraction award for giving visitors an authentic Saudi heritage experience. The Old Council Souk attracts thousands of tourists each year and is an example to other organisations of the benefits of quality tourism projects.
Khalid Al-Toug took the Best Tourist Guide Award.
Al-Khobar Heritage Village was presented with SETA’s Best Traditional Food and Catering award. The Village provides visitors with an insight into Saudi culture and heritage. During 2010 Al-Khobar Heritage Village also obtained ISO international quality certification.
Hesham Mohammed took the Best customer Service award and Jawlah Tours Company was the winner of SETA’s Best Tour Operator offering an extensive range of historical and geographical heritage tours to.
Al-Faisaliah Hotel was the Best Luxury Hotel, Al-Faisaliah Shopping Mall won Best Shopping Experience and The Globe took the award for Best Fine Dining Restaurant.
Steak House and Herfy was the Best Mid-market Restaurant and Makkah-based Mobarrat Shohada, managed by AKMC, and Avail Grand Hotel & Suite shared SETA’s Best Domestic Hotel award.
Park Inn Hotel was the Best Mid Market hotel and Abdul Mohsin Al-Hokair Group was presented with a Special Recognition award.
At the end of the ceremony Prince Sultan said the true winner on the night was in fact Saudi Tourism.