Wednesday, January 31, 2024
Jeddah Travel Expo shifts focus to B2B, with 200+ exhibitors from 27 nations and 27,000+ visitors, showcasing global cultures and fostering industry ties.
The upcoming edition of the Jeddah International Travel and Tourism Exhibition is set to shift its focus towards business-to-business (B2B) interactions, as announced by the head of the organizing committee, Maya Halfawi. This decision comes following the recent event, which primarily catered to consumer-oriented activities.
Halfawi noted plans for an expanded event next year, with a heightened emphasis on B2B engagements.
The latest edition of the Jeddah International Travel and Tourism Exhibition witnessed participation from over 200 exhibitors representing 27 different nations, concluding on a Tuesday. Spanning three days, the event successfully convened various tourism stakeholders, including national and regional tourism bodies, hotel representatives, airlines, tour organizers, travel agencies, and cruise operators. The exhibition attracted in excess of 27,000 attendees.
Participants at the exhibition showcased their destinations through unique cultural elements like traditional attire, dance, and food, highlighting treats like Tunisian dates, Turkish baklava, and Kazakhstani chocolate.
Halfawi described the event’s closing day as particularly celebratory, with attendees actively seeking travel advice and information on special summer offers, visa procedures, and travel guides.
The exhibition served as a vital platform for both local and international exhibitors to present their destinations to Saudi audiences and foster business connections within the industry.
Participants included local entities such as AlUla, as well as international exhibitors from countries like Egypt, Tunisia, Morocco, Jordan, Turkey, Malaysia, South Korea, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Vietnam, Kazakhstan, Chad, Mauritius, Cyprus, Hungary, and Georgia.
The event was well-attended by Saudi and international families alike, many discovering attractive offers for upcoming summer vacations.
Samar Al-Zahrani, visiting from Makkah with her children, expressed her enthusiasm for gathering information about Thailand for their summer break. She praised the convenience of accessing all necessary information in one location, including a comprehensive travel service.
Saad Al-Hamrani, another attendee, mentioned selecting a travel package to the Balkans with his wife, particularly focusing on Bosnia and Herzegovina, with plans to finalize arrangements after sorting out their budget.
This year’s exhibition marked the debut of countries like Vietnam, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kazakhstan, and Hungary.
The organizers also arranged a variety of programs, including cultural performances, educational seminars, tourism workshops, and B2B meetings.
Cruise Saudi, a venture of the Kingdom’s Public Investment Fund, unveiled its inaugural product, Aroya Cruises, expected to commence operations later in the year. Turki Qari, the company’s marketing executive director, shared that the cruise would introduce passengers to relatively unexplored Saudi coastal destinations.
Tags: B2B, Global, global tourism, Jeddah Travel Expo
Sunday, April 28, 2024
Sunday, April 28, 2024
Sunday, April 28, 2024
