Board members of the newly-formed Saudi Hospitality Association have predicted that the organisation will provide a forum to tackle challenges facing the industry and help bring in international standards and best practices.
The association was one of three new tourism bodies announced in May last year, with approval from the cabinet of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Its establishment was officially announced on the sidelines of the Saudi Commission for Tourism & Antiquities’ (SCTA) annual staff meeting, on December 17, along with that of the Saudi Tourist Guide Association.
Joined by HRH Prince Sultan bin Salman bin Abdul Aziz, president of SCTA, along with the Minister of Commerce and Industry, His Excellency Dr. Tawfiq Al Rabiah, a number of board members commented on the impact the Saudi Hospitality Association would have.
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“The Association will constitute as a forum to discuss challenges facing the tourism sector in the Kingdom and the proper means to address these obstacles to build national tourism that meets the aspirations of the people of Saudi Arabia,” said board member Ziad Ahmed bin Mahfouz.
"There is no doubt that the vision of SCTA under the leadership its president has led to many successes achieved in various areas of tourism, and most significant of them is the establishment of this association, which seeks to apply international standards and best practices in this promising sector, as well as achieve integration and solidarity between the public and private sectors in its affairs.”
Each of the three new professional associations - for tourism accommodation facilities, tourist guides and travel and tourism activities – are professional and non-profit bodies and enjoy legal status as a body corporate and financial independence.
The objectives of these bodies includes serving the interests of their members, providing social and cultural services for members and extending support to attract investments from the private sector in the areas of their activities.
“The Association will be a new umbrella, being supported by the government, for the best interests of all investors in the hotel sector,” added Saudi Hospitality Association chairman Faisal Al Motlaq.
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