India to hold road shows in Saudi Arabia to attract tourists

DUBAI: To attract high-end tourists to some of its exotic locations, India will organise tourism road shows across Saudi Arabia later this month.


The campaign revolving around the theme 'Find What You Seek' will be held in Jeddah on May 19 followed by Riyadh on May 21 and in Dammam on May 22.

The Indian delegation to these road shows is being led by Ministry of Tourism Secretary Parvez Dewan who is accompanied by representatives of various state governments along with major destination managers, tour operators, hoteliers and airlines.

"The road shows are aimed at taking tourism cooperation between the two countries to the next level. Through these road shows, an effort is also being made to update the Saudi tourism stakeholders with latest information on Indian tourism policy, destinations and products," according to an official statement here.

The Middle East, and particularly Saudi Arabia is one of the main source markets for inbound tourism in India. In 2011, around 26,000 Saudi nationals visited India registering, a growth of over 12 per cent over the previous year.

The Indian government has recently lifted the restriction of two-month gap for entry of foreign nationals between two visits. This decision has facilitated the travel of international tourists to India.

India has also emerged as a destination for wellness, medical and MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions) tourism. Indian destination management companies are offering door-to-door services to such high-end travellers.