And the SETA 2012 Winner Is…

Riyadh (Saudi Arabia) – 15 April 2012 – The winners of the Saudi Tourism Excellence Award, this year in its second session, were announced on April 4. The winners were honored by His Royal Highness Prince Sultan bin Salman bin Abdul Aziz, President of the Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities (SCTA).

Dr. Abdul Mohsin bin Abdullah Al Hiji, Chief of the jury, stated in this connection that this award is held at the initiative of SCTA, and it aims to develop a competitive and professional industry of tourism and hospitality in the kingdom of Saudi Arabia. In his speech in the honoring ceremony, Dr. Al Hiji added that the jury this year was comprised of eight members from various regions of the kingdom and abroad, and all of them were experts in certain areas of the tourism and hospitality industry.

Al Hiji disclosed that the total number of candidates who submitted using the Internet this year were over 600, with an upsurge of 50 percent compared to last year, which prompts for further developments in the award’s next sessions.

The winners according to categories were as follows:

ACCOMMODATION CATEGORY

Best Luxury Hotel:
– Al Faisalia Hotel – Riyadh
– Four Seasons

Best 4 Stars Hotel:
– Park Inn Radisson
– Elaf Hotel

Best 3 Stars Hotel:
– Golden Tulip
– Radisson Hotel – Yanbu Al Bahr

Best Furnished Apartment:
– Vivanda – Riyadh

Best Resort:
– Marsa Al Ahlam- Jeddah
– Marsa Al Ahlam – Al Laith
– Marsa Al Ahlam – Yanbu
– Marsa Al Ahlam- Jazan
– Mövenpick Resort

SHOPPING AND RECREATION

Best Tourism Experience:
– Ghornata Mall
– Red Sea Mall

Best Tourism Festival:
– Al Moznib 32nd Summer Festival
– Buraidah Spring Festival

Best Recreation Center:
– Water Park
– Fortax

Best Tourism Attraction Location:
– Jazan Heritage Village
– Vintage Vehicle Carnival – Jeddah

RESTAURANTS

Best Luxury Restaurants:
– Glob Restaurant
– Al Sanbok Restaurant

Best Popular Food and Supply Service:
– Al Khobar Heritage Village Restaurant
– Café of Herta Cooperative Association (women)

Best Economy Restaurant:
– Mentis Restaurant – Four Seasons Hotels – Riyadh
– Steak House

TOURISM ACTIVITIES

Best Museum Experience:
– Dar Al Hesyani for Heritage
– Al Khalifa Museum

Best Heritage Site Experience:
Best Experience in Tourism Transport

Best Tour Operators:
– Al Shetwi for Tour Organization
– Haya Tours

Best Travel Agency:

CONTRIBUTION TO TOURISM

– Prince Sultan Collage for Tourism and Business
Winner Saeed Ali
– Tourism Programs
Best Tourism Program for Quality Assurance
– Best Promo Campaign
Committee of Tourism Development in Onaiza Municipality
Tourism Employees
– Best Tourist Guide
Khalid Khafji
– Best Tourism Sales Employee
Fadi Ajaj
Mohammad Abdullah Sharaf

Media Contact:
Najla A. Al-Khalifah (MP)
Email: najla@scta.gov.sa