JCCI, SCTA discuss tourism opportunities
Guest Writers are not employed, compensated or governed by TD, opinions and statements are from the specific writer directly
The Kingdom’s hospitality sector has witnessed a staggering expansion and continues to grow in tandem with inbound travel; which is also increasing, both in terms of Umrah and business visitors. 
According to Colliers International Report on Saudi Arabia hospitality, Jeddah saw highest occupancy rates due to its domestic leisure travel.
The latest report by SCTA also states that the Kingdom is expected to receive 88 million visitors by 2020, with Umrah accounting for around 16 million travelers by 2014, increasing the number of hotel employees from 10,200 to 18,600 in the same period creating 2.3 million jobs by 2020. In fact, there has been a sharp increase in the number of hotel rooms in the Makkah region, with many new projects announced in Jeddah, Makkah and Madinah.
Riding on this growth, experts from Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI) and Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities (SCTA) met at The Hotel Summit in Saudi Arabia to discuss the way ahead.
Sheikh Mazen Batterjee, vice chairman of the board of directors of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Jeddah, said: “With the long-term vision to boost tourist influx from 47 million in 2008 to 88 million in 2020, the demand for hotel rooms is set to surge from 120,000 to 255,000. We have introduced several initiatives that are aimed at promoting tourism and hospitality industry in the Kingdom.”
