Riyadh Travel Fair (RTF) 2017, Saudi Arabia’s largest travel trade event showcasing more than 250 exhibitors, national pavilions and seminars, is set to welcome an anticipated 30,000 visitors this April.

RTF will open its doors for the ninth consecutive year, with the 2017 edition to be located at the Al Faisaliah Hotel, Riyadh from April 7 – 10.

The four-day 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 2017 edition will be the largest on record with an increase in both the number of exhibitors and expected visitor arrivals. More than 250 exhibitors will be present representing more than 50 countries. Over 50 national and regional pavilions will have a prominent presence with the show floor space also increased by 10 per cent compared to the 2016 event.

“Last year the Riyadh Travel Fair featured 246 exhibitors with visitor attendance at 25,724. That was an increase of 30 per cent compared to the 2015 edition. This year will continue our year-on-year growth as exhibitors hit over 250 and expected visitors numbers over 30,000,” said Bander' Al Gryni, general manager ASAS Exhibitions – organizer of Riyadh Travel Fair.

Al Gryni added: “Year after year, we have seen a consistent positive growth on the number of participants, exhibitors and attendees at RTF. 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 Riyadh Travel Fair is open to both travel professionals and the general public looking for in-depth destination information and special deals. Visitors to the 2017 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 (Strategic Partner), Sharjah Commerce & Tourism Development Authority (Diamond Sponsor), Indonesia Tourism as Platinum Partner, Al-Riyadh Travel & Tourism (Gold Sponsors), Alia Travel (Silver Sponsor) and Careem (Transportation Sponsor).

National pavilions confirmed to attend include those of: Austria, Kyoto Japan, Philippines, Doka, Orange County California, Sri Lanka, Seychelles, Slovenia, Turkey, Morocco, Tunisia, Bursa ,Taiwan, Mexico ,Holland ,Maldives 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, MATATO, Thrifty , Dollar Rent A Car, Fursan Travel, and AirFrance & KLM , to name a few.

Riyadh Travel Fair is organised by ASAS Exhibition and Conference Organizing company under the sponsorship of Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority as Strategic Partner. - TradeArabia News Service