Dubai summit to discuss potential of Saudi's hospitality sector

The investment potential in Saudi Arabia's hospitality sector will be highlighted at this Arabian Travel Market (ATM) next month in Dubai. The sector is expected to flourish more than at any time before and will enhance competition between local and international companies to increase investments in this sector, said Ahmad Al Eisa, director-general for licensing and quality at Saudi Arabia's Supreme Commission for Tourism (SCT). He added the country's tourism sector is not fragile as some may think. "Despite the global economic downturn, the Saudi hotel industry continues to flourish," he said. With the high demand, the number of hotel rooms will reach 230,000 during the coming ten years. The tourism industry is currently valued at 66.1 billion Saudi riyals (Dh64.71 billion) and contributes about 4 per cent of GDP. It has created 478,979 jobs. Saudi Arabia will be represented by SCT and other agencies at ATM.