RTF 2017 puts spotlight on medical tourism

Saudi Arabia’s largest domestic and outbound tourism promotion event, Riyadh Travel Fair will commence its ninth edition at the Al Faisaliah Hotel, Riyadh from April 7-10, 2017. It is expected to receive over 250 exhibitors; national pavillions and seminars set to welcome an anticipated 30,000 visitors.

SHEHARA RIZLY

The theme of this year is to introduce more trade visitors and to bring in new destinations into Saudi Arabia for promotion of tourism sector especially in keeping with the 2030 tourism growth vision of the kingdom. Bander Al Gryni, General Manager – ASAS Exhibitions, organiser of Riyadh Travel Fair, said, “Year after year, we have seen a consistent positive growth in 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 have never been more significant.”
For the first time, RTF spotlights on medical tourism this year. Medical service providers, hotels, destinations, spas and wellness resorts from around the world will present their latest products, services and special offerings at the four day event.

Sheikh Hafeez, Director of Sales and Marketing, ASA Exhibitions, said that medical tourism will be one of the elements under focus at this year’s RTF. “Travelling abroad to seek medical care is increasing steadily as medical tourists are seeking new technology, expertise and a serene environment to recover and rejuvenate. Riyadh Travel Fair 2017 will showcase the potential of medical tourism along with its plethora of health and wellness offerings from various destinations from around the world. It will also offer a marketing platform for health and wellness providers to discuss prospective business deals with medical tourism facilitators and travel agencies from across the globe,” he added.

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, the 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.