Riyadh: The 10th Riyadh Travel Fair (RTF 2018) — the largest on record with an increase in exhibitors and expected visitors — opened at the Faisalia Hotel on Tuesday.
The annual fair, inaugurated by Hamad Ali Al-Shuweir, vice chairman of the board of directors at the Riyadh Chamber, will run until Friday.
Sheikh Hafeez, sales and marketing director of ASAS Exhibition, the organizer of the event, told Arab News: “This year about 300 exhibitors from 55 countries are participating in the fair, which is a significant annual event where the world’s major travel and tourism companies gather under one roof.”
For the first time, the RTF is hosting the tourism boards of Denmark, Sweden, Norway and Finland. Tanzania and Spain are also making their debut, joining other tourism boards including the Czech Republic, Poland, Bosnia, Greece, Turkey, South Africa, Egypt and Tunisia.
Hafeez said that the RTF 2018 had strong Middle East support, with 60 percent of exhibiting companies from the GCC region, including the Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority, the Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority, the Ministry of Tourism Bahrain and Oman Tourism.
This year North and South East Asia also feature prominently, with the participation of Japan, South Korea, Philippines, Indonesia and Singapore.
“As we celebrate our 10th anniversary this year, the substantial growth in exhibitors underlines how RTF has firmly established itself as the leading industry event in the Kingdom,” said Hafeez. “The Kingdom’s outbound market continues to attract huge interest and we are delighted to see such levels of growth from various key markets at the show this year,” he said.
The RTF will focus on business networking opportunities, seminars, brainstorming sessions, and recognition of the year’s tourist industry achievements.
It is open to both travel professionals and the public, with visitors having direct access to tourism boards and authorities, as well as hotels, airlines and travel agents.
The fair aims to provide the opportunity for tourist and travel organizations to showcase their programs and activities.
More than 50 national and regional pavilions have a prominent presence, with floor space increasing by 10 percent compared to the 2017 event.
Last year the RTF had 270 exhibitors, with visitor attendance at 27,329. This was an increase of 30 percent compared to the 2016 show.
Scandinavian tourism boards join biggest Riyadh Travel Fair
Scandinavian tourism boards join biggest Riyadh Travel Fair
Balad Beast brings global beats to historic streets
- ‘MDLBEAST put us on the international map,’ say Saudi electronic duo Dish Dash
JEDDAH: The music festival Balad Beast concluded its fourth edition this weekend, having transformed Jeddah’s UNESCO World Heritage district of Al-Balad into an open-air celebration of music, culture and creativity that attracted thousands of music lovers over two nights.
The festival, organized by Saudi music platform MDLBEAST, featured more than 70 local, regional and international artists across four stages, offering audiences a diverse journey through electronic, hip-hop and global sounds.
Speaking to Arab News, MDLBEAST chief creative officer Ahmad Al-Ammary, also known as DJ Baloo, described Balad Beast as a “cultural takeover” adding that finding the right spaces for dance floors was a challenge, “but Balad is constantly evolving and we work with that change.”
Addressing the challenges of working in a heritage area, he said: “Balad is sensitive and condensed, so logistics can be complex. In our first year, heavy rain flooded one of the planned squares and we had to relocate the Souq Stage to a much smaller space, but it worked and it has remained there ever since.
HIGHLIGHT
Reggae superstar Shaggy noted that the reality of playing live in Saudi Arabia often surprises those who arrive with preconceptions.
“Yes, the alleys are narrow and the district is old, but they’re full of ideas, patterns, colors and visuals. Everything flows here,” he continued. “As a festival, it’s hard to define Balad, because it gives so much of itself creatively. It’s incredibly generous with its ideas and details, and inspiration comes from everywhere.”
Balad Beast featured performances from international artists including US rapper Playboi Carti, making his first appearance in Saudi Arabia; US rapper Destroy Lonely; Swedish DJ and producer Alesso; and Bosnian-German DJ Solomun on the opening night. The following night saw French-Haitian singer-songwriter Naïka, reggae superstar Shaggy, Dutch DJ Franky Rizardo, British DJ Pawsa, and US rapper Tyga, and more take the stage, while Saudi and regional artists including Cosmicat, TUL8TE, Zeina, Vinyl Mode, Moayed, Dish Dash, Musab, Varoo and HiFi appeared across the festival, offering audiences a mix of global and local talent.
Saudi electronic duo Dish Dash reflected on the festival organizer’s impact for local artists.
As a festival, it’s hard to define Balad, because it gives so much of itself creatively. It’s incredibly generous with its ideas and details, and inspiration comes from everywhere.
Ahmad Al-Ammary, MDLBEAST chief creative officer
“MDLBEAST put us on the international map,” the brothers told Arab News. “It helped us get recognized by festivals, promoters and event organizers abroad. When we travel, people don’t expect this level of talent coming from Saudi Arabia, especially considering we didn’t have this scene before.”
Shaggy, who performed a hit-filled set during the festival, told Arab News: “I’ve been blessed with some incredible songs, and I see music as a gift and a tool for service. When I go on stage, I’m there to entertain people, to make them smile and feel good, but that service also supports many livelihoods from the people working at this festival to those who work with me. These songs have become part of people’s lives, and I don’t take that lightly.”
Shaggy also noted that the reality of playing live in Saudi Arabia often surprises those who arrive with preconceptions.
“I’ve performed in Saudi Arabia more than once, and while there are certain rules that are different, it’s not an issue for me. My focus is always on delivering the hits and giving the audience a great time,” he said.
“There’s a big misconception. People have more freedom than (outsiders) think. Everyone has been extremely nice.”
Asked what advice he would offer to aspiring artists, Shaggy said: “Understand that what you’re given is a gift and a form of service. Stay humble, do the work, and remember why you’re doing it.”
As Al-Ammary noted, there are many such aspiring artists now making a name for themselves in the Kingdom.
“Talent is emerging everywhere, at different levels,” he said. “The scene is still in a mysterious and surprising phase. There’s a rawness to it.”
