Riyadh Travel Fair set for record

Riyadh Travel Fair (RTF) 2016, Saudi Arabia’s leading travel industry showcase, will be the largest RTF edition on record with an increase in both the number of exhibitors and expected visitor arrivals.

Running from April 12 to 15 at the Al Faisaliah Hotel, Riyadh, the 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.

More than 250 exhibitors will represent more than 55 countries. Over 50 national and regional pavilions will have a prominent presence with the show floor space increasing by 11 per cent compared to the 2015 event.

'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 we will continue our year-on-year growth as exhibitors hit over 250 and expected visitors numbers touching 20,000,' said Bander Al Gryni, general manager Asas Exhibitions, organiser.

Al Gryni added: '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.'

The fair is open to both travel professionals and the general public looking for in-depth destination information and special deals.

Visitors will be able to interact directly with various tourism authorities, hotels, airlines and travel agents from around
the world.

The 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, Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Seychelles, Turkey, Morocco, Tunisia, Bursa and Korea.

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.