Philippines
Department of Tourism to participate at Riyadh Travel Fair 2014
highlighting exciting family attractions and no visa requirement for
Saudi nationals
Riyadh, 16 April 2014:
Delegates from the Philippine Department of Tourism are currently
visiting Riyadh to promote the Philippines as an ideal holiday
destination for families seeking unique urban lifestyle, shopping, beach
and luxury resort experiences. The visit coincides with the
department’s participation at the Riyadh Travel Fair which is being held
from April 15 – 18, 2014
at the Four Seasons Hotel Riyadh. The fair is open to both travel and
tourism professionals as well as the general public keen to discover
more about exciting and exotic travel destinations. By using the Riyadh
Travel Fair platform, the Philippine delegation that includes members
from the Philippine Department of Tourism, Cebu Pacific Airlines and
Shangri-La Hotels, hope to outreach to Saudi nationals and residents and
provide them with detailed information on travel to the Philippines,
exciting attractions that the destination has to offer, as well as
answer any questions visitors may have.
Says Mr. Raymund
Glen Agustin, Chief, Russia, India and the Middle East Market
Development Group, Philippine Department of Tourism: “Saudi Arabia is an
emerging market that both the department and the Philippine tourism
industry are eagerly looking to jointly develop. Following a previous
mission to the kingdom in December last year, we were keen to follow up
quickly with another meaningful visit to keep the momentum running,
demonstrating our commitment to the Saudi Arabian market.”
The Philippine
Department of Tourism has identified the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as a
priority outbound market for development, especially as it currently
ranks the largest visitor market to the Philippines from the Middle
East. In 2013, the country hosted a total of 38,969 visitors from Saudi
Arabia, which was an increase of 30% compared to the previous year. In
2013 Saudi Arabia was ranked as the 18th largest market worldwide for
visitor numbers to the Philippines. The top five markets in order of
those providing the most visitors were ranked with Korea in the top
position followed by the United States, Japan, China and Australia.
2014 results
also bode well for Saudi Arabia, with arrival numbers from the kingdom
in January showing a 13% increase compared to the visitor number
experienced in January in 2013. The propensity for further increase also
remains strong following a plan for increased awareness and promotional
campaigns to be held within Saudi Arabia throughout the year.
Additionally,
G.C.C. and Saudi Arabian nationals travelling to the Philippines do not
need an entry visa for a visit of 30 days or less.
The Philippine delegation will be present at the Riyadh Travel Fair Philippine pavilion from April 15 – 18.
Travel industry professionals, as well as the general public interested
in learning more of what the destination has to offer in terms of
luxury and family accommodation, attractions, theme parks, shopping
opportunities, nightlife and nature adventures are encouraged to meet
the delegation directly at the Philippine pavilion.
Commented Mr. Agustin:
“We hope to see as many Saudi travel professionals and travel
enthusiasts as possible at the Riyadh Travel Fair, and then hope to see
them again later in the year in the Philippines. For those that can’t
visit us, we hope that they will join us on Facebook and Twitter which
we will be launching next month in Arabic and English especially for the
Middle East.”
The Philippine Tourism Middle East social media sites can be accessed at:
Facebook: It’s More Fun In The Philippines – Middle East
Twitter: PhilTourismME
For further information please contact the Philippine Department of Tourism Middle East Marketing Representative Office at:
Tel: +971 (0)4 433 5952
Fax: +971 (0)4 439 3582
