Saudi Arabia is fast spreading its global reach.
During Q1 2012, Maldives recorded a total of 4,344 arrivals, marking an unparalleled growth of 77.8 percent compared to the same period last year. In particular it is important to note the exceptional growth from the Saudi market.
Meanwhile Kerala Tourism is holding its maiden road show in Jeddah, the thriving urban centre of oil-rich Saudi Arabia from today. The three-day event will travel to capital Riyadh and Dammam tomorrow and the day after.
The Tourism Minister, Anil Kumar, will lead the road shows, a Kerala Tourism spokesman announced here. “Saudi Arabia is the biggest market for outbound tourists in the region,” the spokesman quoted the Minister as saying. “We want to invite travellers from Saudi Arabia to Kerala’s world renowned tourism destinations,” he added.
West Asia has recorded more than nine million outbound tourists in 2011 and the figure is likely to touch 35 million by 2020. Saudi Arabia accounts for 40 per cent of these, the spokesman said.
Others now joining the list include United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait and Bahrain. India is among the major destinations sought after by the Arab tourists, besides the UK, Australia, Singapore, Hong Kong and the Philippines.
