JEDDAH, 2 June 2005 — Saudi Arabia intends to establish a number of tourist resorts along the 1,800-km-long Red Sea coastline as part of its efforts to promote domestic tourism and win the hearts of local and foreign tourists. Prince Sultan ibn Salman, secretary-general of the Supreme Commission for Tourism, yesterday signed an SR2.08 million contract with an international consultancy to prepare a plan for tourism development projects on the Red Sea. Prince Sultan said the agreement was aimed at making a long-term plan for tourism development on the Red Sea coast and islands having a total length of 1,800 kms and depth of 25 to 50 kms, making use of international expertise.
The consultancy will prepare the plan in cooperation with a group of experts from the SCT and Saudi universities, the Saudi Press Agency said. This is the first phase of a project to establish tourist resorts on the Red Sea, it added.
Prince Sultan said the project would be carried out in association with the Defense and Aviation Ministry, the Municipal and Rural Affairs Ministry, the Agriculture Ministry, the Presidency of Meteorology and Environment, the National Commission for Wildlife Conservation and Development (NCWCD) and the border guards of the Interior Ministry.
He said the project was also aimed at exploiting some historical ports along the Red Sea for tourism purpose. He emphasized the SCT’s intent to balance between protection of marine life in the Red Sea and making economic gains.
Prince Sultan also disclosed plans to establish eight new museums in the Eastern Province and other regions, adding that the government has already made allocations for them.
On Tuesday, the SCT signed an agreement with the Culture and Information Ministry to implement the commission’s media strategy and carry out a marketing campaign for summer tourism. Under the agreement, the ministry would telecast programs to enhance public awareness on Saudi tourism. Saudi Arabian Television as well as other media organizations would give special coverage for tourism events in various parts of the country.
“Be Closer to Your Family...Know the Kingdom” is the title of the campaign, Prince Sultan said, adding that the campaign was aimed at promoting a culture of tourism. “We target to reach 80 percent of the public through this campaign,” he added. He emphasized the role of media in promoting domestic tourism and highlighting tourist attractions in various parts of the country.
Meanwhile, Prince Sultan yesterday visited the Saudi Arabian Standards Organization in Riyadh and commended SASO’s role in promoting tourism by taking measures to ensure quality of products and services. Earlier, Dr. Khaled Al-Khalaf, SASO’s director general, briefed the prince on the organization’s activities.