REPORT – STTIM 2012 – RIYADH: His Royal Highness Prince Sultan bin Salman bin Abdul Aziz, President of SCTA, has pointed out that the Saudi market is very big and enjoys unique advantages. "But we have misused it and rather did not use it to achieve the integrated tourism experience in the Kingdom," he remarked…
REPORT – STTIM 2012 – RIYADH: His Royal Highness Prince Sultan bin Salman bin Abdul Aziz, President of SCTA, has pointed out that the Saudi market is very big and enjoys unique advantages. "But we have misused it and rather did not use it to achieve the integrated tourism experience in the Kingdom," he remarked.
HRH President of SCTA was addressing the first session on the first day of the Saudi Travel and Tourism Investment Market (STTIM-2012) on Monday, April 2. The session focused on the "Role of transport on the tourism development in the Kingdom".
HRH President of SCTA, added, "No economic sector will be fully developed unless being supported and encouraged by the government."
He said that Tourism Information Research Center, (MAS) statistics indicate that, tourism is the second biggest sector that provides maximum employment and applies the Saudization program, and that 26% of the people who work in tourism sector are Saudis.
SCTA President expressed his appreciations to all the relevant authorities in the transportation industry in the Kingdom for their concrete role in the development of the national tourism throughout the different parts of the Kingdom, referring to their efforts in facilitating the land and air travel to national tourism destinations.
HRH said that, the Council of Ministers is discussing the "radical solutions" as prepared and submited by SCTA and its partners about the road side inns and added that SCTA in collaboration with its partners has adopted the "exhibitions and conferences" project too.
Noteworthy, the session was commenced by a working paper by Dr Mosa’ad Al Mesaineed, Professor in the Architecture and Planning College, King Saud University, in which he stated that, "Sustainable tourism is associated with sustainable transport, and improvement of transport means; it will have a great impact on the national and international tourism".
On the piqued challenges that are faced by transport sector, he said, "lack of appropriate seaports for international and national cruises, improper transport and high pressure for services inside the cities, and lack of railways and air services are the most important challenges in this respect".
Another working paper presented in the session by Abdul Aziz Al Hogail, Chief of the Saudi General Railways Organization, in which he stated that, there are five large projects carried out by the organization in collaboration with several public departments including the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Transport.
He added that, recently the organization has put into operation new trains and scheduled four additional trips, accordingly the total number of trips have reached 14. "We hope the new trains will draw new category of travelers given their various advantages, such as outer and inner ambiance, large and comfortable seats, in addition to entertainment including audio-visual means provided during the train journey and free internet access, etc." he added.
Faisal Al Sugair, Chief of the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA), addressed the session saying, "Airports have witnessed a growth of 11% during the last three years. The first development stage of King Abdul Aziz Airport has raised the airport capacity from 30 to 80 million travelers a year and the airport is working 50% above its normal capacity. Airport development plan expects its capacity to reach 25 million travelers by 2015."
“As for air transport, we have focused on two aspects; the first is to license new airlines in addition to encouraging airline companies to engage in this field. 14 companies working in the air transport have submitted their willingness until now, bid documents will be offered soon and it will include a number of incentives” Al Sugair added.
Chief of the Saudi Ports Authority, Eng. Abdul Aziz bin Mohammad bin Nasir Al Towaijri, in this context stated that, there are many investment opportunities in the marine tourism and sea transport, and there is a need for more regulations and studies to govern this tourism transport.
He added that, transport is a mainstay for development and it is a supportive economic sector for the tourism development. There are 9 sea ports, five of which are along the Red Sea coast and four along the Arabian Gulf coast.
He added, saying, “The Saudi Ports Authority and SCTA had signed a memorandum of cooperation to enhance the role of sea ports in the development of tourism to attract international cruise lines, participation in the tourism development programs and preserving sunken ancient seaports.”
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