• Exhibitors to showcase their latest offers and packages to cater to young travellers

Riyadh, 28 March 2017:  Why not explore the world instead of lying on the couch? This year, Riyadh Travel Fair the largest travel and tourism exhibition & congress in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will provide platform to trade visitors and the general public on youth travel options. Tour operators, tourism associations and destinations will be showcasing their latest products and innovations at the four day event, which will be held from the 7 – 10 April, 2017, at the Al Faisaliah Hotel, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Exhibitors will be presenting digital innovations such as Virtual Reality (VR) goggles, information on new youth travel destinations, events and festivals. Attending RTF 2017 will instantly transport you all over the world with an array of holiday packages offers, destination promotions and value added discounts and bonus all in one roof.

More than 50% of the population in the Middle East is between 18 and 34 years of age and surrounded by hi-tech gadgets. For 40% of GCC travellers of all ages, the social media is their inspiration when planning a trip. Travel queries from the MENA region have grown 33% in the last year. According to YouTube, over 310 million video views each day in the region and travel queries on YouTube had grown 22% year on year by December 2014. In KSA, 81% of leisure travellers report having watched an online video to decide on a destination.

Capturing the millennial market has been on destinations and hoteliers’ agenda for a while now, and lifestyle-branded properties are springing up on every corner of the world. 

Ferghal Purcell, COO, HMH – Hospitality Management Holding commented, “As young affluent travellers are migrating to new channels for travel planning, hoteliers too are making an effort to step up their game by being visible on multiple channels including meta-search for improved online bookings. At HMH we are geared in terms of technology with mobile optimized website and dynamic marketing and pricing strategy.”

Also commenting, Mr. Edwin Fuller, President & CEO – Orange County Visitors Association: “We see an increase of young middle class visitors from the Middle East. They are spending time exploring destinations not previously visited such as Southern California. The visitors are seeking opportunities to explore and enjoy the destinations of their choice they enjoy becoming part of their community enjoying the facilities, attractions, environment and weather. We are seeing an increase of multiple visits during a year and not just the summer.  Orange County California is the most single visited destination in California and the West Coast with over 4 million international guests in 2015.” 

Due to rapid increase of social media usage, these ‘hashtaggers’ value authenticity, international standards, the most seamless technological connectivity, combined with a personal touch while choosing brands that can stand them out from the crowd. 

Commenting on this, Sheikh Imran Hafeez, Director of Sales and Marketing: “We understand that young travelers, the never-ending explorers, eager for knowledge, prefers to travel to have unique experiences and to interact with local culture. Riyadh Travel Fair 2017 will showcase the potential of young traveler tourism along with its plethora of activities and experience offerings from various destinations from around the world.” 

This year the Riyadh Travel Fair (RTF) will open its doors for ninth consecutive year, with the 2017 edition to be held at the Al Faisaliah Hotel, Riyadh from 7th to 10th April 2017. The four day event will become the focus of business networking opportunities, insightful seminar sessions, ministerial discussions and recognition of twelve months of the tourism industry’s achievements. 

Riyadh Travel Fair is organized by ASAS Exhibition and Conference Organizing Company and is supported by the Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority as a Strategic Partner.