India and Saudi Arabia to increase cooperation in tourism sector

The union minister of state for tourism, Sultan Ahmed, held a meeting with Dr Salah K Al-Bukhyyet, vice president for investment, Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities. Ahmed is currently on a four day official visit to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

During their meeting, the two sides discussed matters of bilateral cooperation in the tourism and hospitality sector and issues of mutual interest particularly with regard to ways and means of increasing tourism in both the countries.

The bilateral cooperation envisages finalising international executive programme for cooperation. Sultan Ahmed offered India's vast expertise to augment the hospitality sector in Saudi Arabia and to train and enrich the human resources in the sector; and exchange of key personnel to learn from both sides in managing and maintaining heritage sites.

In the long run it was also proposed that the Indian side could set up full-fledged management cum training institute for training Saudi youth in the hospitality sector. Both sides agreed that these issues will also be discussed during the forthcoming Indo-Saudi Joint Commission meeting to be held in Riyadh on 31 October, 2009.

The meeting was also attended by deputy chief of mission Rajeev Shahare and Bani Roy, under secretary, ministry of tourism. From the Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities, Dr Hamad Al-Ismail, assistant vice president for investment services, Dr Fahd Al-Jarboa, assistant vice president for marketing, Dr Abdullah Alweshail, general director, National Project for Tourism Human Resource division, and Eng Ahmed Al-Eesa, general director for licensing and quality department were present in the meeting.

The Government of India Tourist Office (GOITO), Dubai, in collaboration with the Embassy of India, Riyadh, has organised the ''India Tourism Road Show'' in Riyadh during the visit of Sultan Ahmed. There will be a special segment on medical tourism in the road show which is of immense interest for Saudis.

Sultan Ahmed is leading a large delegation comprising officials from ministry of tourism, government of India, executive directors of GOITO offices in Dubai and Tokyo and a large contingent of Indian tour operators. The event includes meetings with Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities, detailed presentations on Indian tourism, buyer-seller meet between Indian tour operators and Saudi tour operators, etc. The participants will also have a taste of famous Indian delicacies.