JEDDAH, 16 August — Crown Prince Abdullah, deputy premier and commander of the National Guard, visited the Durrat Al-Aroos tourist resort situated on the Corniche, north of the city, on Tuesday.
The royal visit highlighted the government’s support for tourism projects.
Interior Minister Prince Naif said the crown prince’s visits to tourist resorts in Taif last week as well as to Jeddah resorts reflected the strong relation between the Saudi leadership and the people.
“It also shows the social bonds that exist between all Saudi people,” he told Okaz daily.
Saleh Kamel, chairman of Dallah Albaraka (which owns Durrat Al-Aroos), briefed the crown prince on the resort’s attractions and facilities. Prince Abdullah, accompanied by Kamel, toured the resort in a jeep. The crown prince was greeted by a group of children who presented him with bouquets.
Covering an area of eight million square meters on the Red Sea coast, the resort includes conference halls, luxury villas, recreation centers, an equestrian club with a school for teaching equestrian skills, a golf club, a boat and yacht club and gardens. There are also 1,500 housing units in the area.
A variety of programs, including a fireworks display and cultural and sports activities involving children, were held to mark the crown prince’s visit. Prince Abdullah also watched a performance by Saudi rally champions and visited a traditional souk where Saudi confectioneries and sweets are for sale.
At Al-Nakheel recreation center, Prince Abdullah participated in a traditional dance along with folklore troupes. Some Saudi sportsmen presented a variety of marine sports at the boat club. A large number of people had thronged the resort, the Saudi Press Agency reported, adding that the crown prince exchanged greetings with them. A number of citizens got a chance to shake hands with the Saudi leader.
On arrival at the resort, Prince Abdullah was received by Makkah Governor Prince Abdul Majeed, Jeddah Mayor Abdullah Al-Muallami, Kamel, and senior officials of Dallah Albaraka group.
Prince Abdullah was accompanied by a number of princes and officials including Prince Nawaf, Prince Turki Al-Faisal, director of intelligence, and Prince Bandar ibn Salman, adviser to the royal court.
Kamel expressed his pleasure over the visit and said it was a great honor to the project and its visitors. He praised the crown prince’s support for tourism and developmental projects.
