JEDDAH, 24 October — Prince Sultan ibn Salman, secretary-general of Supreme Commission for Tourism, has said that the development of tourism will totally transform Kingdom’s economy.
He said tourism industry’s contribution to the gross domestic product (GDP) will increase from 5.4 to 7.8 percent with an annual revenue estimated at more than SR20 billion.
Speaking to Al-Riyadh Arabic daily, the prince said the number of tourists visiting the Kingdom is expected to increase from 21 million to 45 million by 2020. "The tourism sector will also create 1.5 million to 2.3 million jobs," he pointed out.
Prince Sultan said the commission was looking forward to playing a leading role in the development of tourism within the next five years. "We have already prepared a tourism development strategy for the next 20 years," he said.
Spelling out the obstacles faced by his organization, Prince Sultan said financial constraints were hampering the commission’s activities. "It needs financial allocations to meet expenses," he added.
Setting out rules and regulations, decentralization of authority and compiling information from various government departments are other issues.
"We cannot attract investment in the tourism sector without providing information and ensuring transparency. We have to tackle these challenges and remove the obstacles quickly to help the commission execute its plans," the prince said.
"The government is planning to make optimum utilization of the country’s tourism potential, without deviating from cultural and social values," he said.
Prince Sultan said the commission will try to achieve transparency, decentralization and active partnership between various parties involved. "Tourism itself is not a goal but a means to achieve total development," he added.
Prince Sultan stressed the need for careful planning to make the industry successful and profitable. He said the commission has studied the negative and positive aspects of developing tourism as well as its social, cultural and economic impact.
He disclosed plans to establish five authorities to achieve sustainable tourism growth and protect tourism-related facilities including cultural monuments.
There are plans to establish tourism promotion centers in various parts of the country to extend help to Saudi and foreign investors."Heritage and cultural centers will be set up in Abha, Hofuf, Taif and Yanbu next year to develop historical places as tourist hotspots," said the prince.
"We are also planning to establish tourist help centers including mobile ones. They will provide tourists with maps, guides and information. These centers will be set up at airports and tourist resorts and tourism festivals such as Janadriya," he explained.
"There are also plans to develop tourist villages in Rijal Al-Mae, Di-Ain and Al-Ola as well as traditional markets, popular festivals, heritage centers and markets in four provinces," the prince said.
The commission also intends to hold mobile exhibitions, workshops and seminars to promote tourism.
