JEDDAH, 20 May 2007 — The board of directors of the Supreme Commission for Tourism (SCT) approved a five-year executive plan for the development of the National Museum in a meeting that was held in Riyadh yesterday.
The plan was prepared by SCT’s general secretariat in coordination with various bodies that included the museums and antiquities sector, and the consultative committee for the National Museum.
“The plan aims to take care of the museum’s contents, increase its programs and activities and activate its educational and cultural role,” the SCT said in a statement after the meeting.
The meeting, which was chaired by Interior Minister Prince Naif, urged government departments and private agencies to organize summer tourism festivals with attractive programs to woo domestic and foreign tourists and holidaymakers.
Prince Naif said higher authorities have approved a proposal to shift the agency for museums and antiquities from the Ministry of Education to the SCT.
The meeting discussed measures taken to protect and develop the Kingdom’s historical sites. Prince Naif, who is also chairman of the commission, approved the formation of a consultative committee for the museums and antiquities sector.
Prince Sultan ibn Salman, secretary-general of the SCT, gave a visual presentation about the initiative taken and programs carried out by the commission to develop the Kingdom’s tourism industry and overcome the obstacles it faces.
“The board discussed reports on measures taken to improve the performance of service centers along regional roads and upgrade rest houses located along expressways. It emphasized the need for advanced service centers operated by specialized companies,” the Saudi Press Agency said quoting the SCT statement.
The meeting discussed the cost of security measures to ensure the safety of tourists, how to cut tourism service charges, measures to develop regional tourism, and the development of popular markets.
