05 February 2016
Senior executives of Elaf Hotels Company and Elaf Travel and Tourism Company unveiled plans to explore huge potential of Indian tourism market and the Indian Haj and Umrah pilgrimage sector with tie up with Indian partners. Addressing a press conference on the sidelines of the food festival, Abdullah H. Bakri, vice president of Elaf Hotels Company, said that Elaf come across a couple of opportunities to carry out projects for budget hotels in India as part of tie up in the vital tourism sector with Indian partners.

He noted that Elaf, which is one of the largest and strongest local hospitality and tourism companies in the Kingdom, sees India as a strong partner. "The relationship between the two great nations has been ever growing in terms of business relations, manpower services, cultural activities, tourism and pilgrimage etc. It paves the way for taking us this relationship to greater heights by organizing the food festival," he said.

Binmahfouz said that Elaf is exploring the prospect of establishing tieups with big Indian companies, which have wide network that covers whole country to bring more Umrah pilgrims. "India is a great and big country and we have been working with them for the mutual benefit and tourism development," he said. Mubarak said that the Saudi Economic and Development Company (SEDCO) has invested in more than 100 companies in India, and it is exploring the possibility of associating with India's Long term Accommodation Committee for Haj pilgrims to find long term solution to the accommodation problem of Indian Hajis. "When the committee members arriving in the Kingdom, we will sit together to find out long term solutions to the accommodation problem," he said.

© The Saudi Gazette 2016