Thiruvananthapuram:
Seeking to tap cash-rich Gulf market, Kerala Tourism is all set to hold its maiden road show in Jeddah in Saudi Arabia on May 6.
The three-day road show will also travel to Riyadh and Dammam on May 7 and 8, respectively.
Kerala Tourism Minister A P Anil Kumar will lead the road shows, which are planned at a time when the Gulf region is fast emerging as a major market for the world's exotic destinations, a state Tourism Department release said today.
"Saudi Arabia is the biggest market for outbound tourists in the Gulf region. We want to invite travellers from Saudi Arabia to Kerala's world renowned destinations," Mr Kumar said.
"Kerala and the Gulf countries have enjoyed historical and traditional ties. Kerala is a natural destination for tourists from the Gulf, especially Saudi Arabia," he added.
The Gulf region recorded more than nine million outbound tourists in 2011 and the figure was likely to touch 35 million by 2020.
India is among the major destinations sought after by the Arab tourists, besides the UK, Australia, Singapore, Hong Kong and the Philippines.
"We are looking forward to a spurt in foreign tourist arrivals in Kerala. Saudi Arabia is a very important market for us because there is lot of scope for Arab tourists to come to Kerala," said Kerala Tourism Secretary Manoj Kumar.
Around 50 local tour operators are expected to participate in the road shows in each of the three Saudi Arabian cities, where many business deals with their counterparts from Kerala are expected to be signed. The Kerala delegation would include 15 tourism service providers, the release said.