Dubai’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) will use the second edition of Riyadh Travel Fair (April 23-26) as a platform from which to continue to grow its inbound tourism from Saudi Arabia.

The participation in Riyadh Travel Fair (RTF) comes two weeks after a similar participation in the 3rd Jeddah Travel Fair and demonstrates the importance DTCM places in the Saudi Arabian market, which is the Emirate’s number one source of visitors. In 2012, the amount of visitors to Dubai from Saudi Arabia grew by over 29%, rising from 873,152 in 2011 to 1,128,757 (hotel guests and cruise passengers).

Saleh Mohamed Al Geziry, Director of DTCM’s Overseas Promotions and Inward Mission, commented: “Participating in such events is a key element of our strategy to continue to grow visitor numbers from Saudi Arabia by directly increasing our public presence in the KSA and GCC markets and promoting the ever evolving tourism offer of Dubai. Dubai is the number one holiday destination for the Saudi market and it is important to ensure that we retain this position.”

Convened in the Saudi Capital, after two successful years RTF has developed a reputation as a significant event in the GCC travel trade calendar. More than 30,000 visitors attend, joining the leading travel and tourism companies of Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries who use the event to promote their business at both a regional and international level.

Saleh Mohamed Al Geziry commented: “In addition to a host of new attractions and hotels, the Saudi market is very interested in the summer season offering we are launching shortly and we will be giving a preview of this offering during RTF.”