(MENAFN - Arab News) "Tourism for all Partnership toward sustainable development" is the slogan of the 2012 Tourism and Travel Investment Forum that will take place on April 2-5 in Riyadh, the deputy chairman of the Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities (SCTA) and head of the executive committee of the forum announced.
Abdullah Al-Jehani said at a press conference at the SCTA headquarters that the forum in its fifth year reflected an ongoing success through a 15 percent increase in the number of participating tourist and hospitality companies, secretariats and chambers of commerce under the umbrella of 11 tourism development councils and with 12 sponsoring partners.
Al-Jehani pointed out that the forum is targeting Saudi tourism, and companies that provide services in this area with the cooperation of the forum will hold a number of sessions on issues related to all services in the tourism field. The forum will include seven scientific sessions under the title "Issues in the comprehensive tourism experience," which will, among others, discuss transportation and its role in the development of tourism, new horizons in travel and tourism, and the present and future of investment in tourism establishments.
The forum will also include 13 workshops with the participation of local and international experts on various topics reviewing different types of tourism models, investment and media issues.
On the sidebar of the forum, Al-Jehani pointed out, a number of activities will take place under the slogan "Saudi Arabia Crossroads of Civilization," in which the Kingdom's concern with the civilization dimension will be showcased through models, historical and traditional locations, handicraft products and folk dances.
Activities inside Riyadh, Al-Jehani pointed out, will include visits to King Abdul Aziz Historical Center, Masmak Palace, the carpet market, Morabaa Palace, safari trips to the desert and Washm area trips, as well as tour packages designed for the exhibition visitors.
As a new trend, Al-Jehani revealed, the travel and tourism forum will launch a "Career Day" adjacent to the forum, where tourism jobs will be presented to visitors and job seekers can fill out application forms and have their queries answered.
As Saudi Airlines is one of the sponsoring partners, Al-Jehani responded to a question regarding the lack of availability of seats on flights by pointing out that although transportation is part of the tourism experience, the SCTA has a team to provide consultation in this direction to ensure that the Saudi tourist lives the full tourism experience without obstacles.
Al-Jehani also indicated that the SCTA looked forward to a more successful season by encouraging all sectors, such as the transportation and accommodation sectors, to develop their services under the commission's umbrella to improve facilities for the local tourist.
Al-Jehani added that the SCTA did not designate a media channel to promote local tourism, as it considered all existing media channels to be partners in this mission.
