Eleven Pakistani companies showcased their textile products at the Hotel Supply and Hospitality Exhibition in Jeddah, held from August 19-21, 2024, receiving a positive response and securing promising business leads in Saudi Arabia’s expanding travel and tourism sector.
The three-day event attracted participants from around the world, with Pakistani firms presenting bed linen, towels, home furnishings, and hotel supplies. Muhammad Asim Shah, President of the All Pakistan Bedsheet and Upholstery Manufacturers Association, highlighted the strong interest from Saudi companies, expecting the leads to mature into business deals after further discussions.
Saudi Arabia’s booming tourism sector, driven by Vision 2030, has led to increased demand for hotel supplies. The World Travel and Tourism Council reported that the sector grew by over 32% in 2023, contributing $118.4 billion to the kingdom’s GDP. Saudi Arabia welcomed 100 million tourists last year, surpassing its Vision 2030 target early. This has led to plans for 20,000 new hotels and 500,000 rooms, presenting significant opportunities for Pakistani businesses.
Shah emphasized that the expo laid the groundwork for future deals through meetings and sample sharing, noting the potential to convert these opportunities into tangible orders. He praised the Pakistani mission in Jeddah for facilitating business-to-business (B2B) meetings.
Pakistani firms, which have traditionally focused on European and Western markets, are now recognizing the vast opportunities in Saudi Arabia. Trade Consular Fahad Chaudhry confirmed that several business deals were initiated, and trial orders are being placed for the Saudi hotel industry. Chaudhry emphasized the long-term impact of Pakistan’s participation in the exhibition, which is expected to significantly boost the country’s exports to Saudi Arabia’s hospitality sector, a market worth approximately $11 billion in textile imports, compared to Pakistan’s $350 million share.
