JEDDAH, 11 June 2007 — Makkah Gov. Prince Khaled Al-Faisal yesterday emphasized the need for promoting domestic tourism. “Encouraging tourism within the Kingdom is a cultural and developmental requirement,” he said.
He also urged Saudi businessmen to make use of investment opportunities in the Kingdom’s tourism industry, not only in Taif but also in other parts of the country. He described Taif as the Kingdom’s premier tourist center. The governor made the comment after meeting with Prince Turki ibn Muhammad, chairman of the Taif Investment & Tourism Company, who briefed him on the company’s projects and its efforts to promote tourism.
Prince Khaled, who is on an inspection tour of the resort city of Taif, called for the revival of the Islamic and Arab heritage.
“The Arab customs, traditions and manners that were present before the coming of Islam have been carried on during Islam with Islam adding its teachings. The Arab Muslim is known for these manners and values,” the Saudi Press Agency quoted the prince as saying. “I believe that Saudi Arabia and the Saudi people deserve the most in reviving the Islamic and Arab heritage,” the governor said.
Prince Khaled underscored the development achieved by Taif in different sectors. “I believe that the Makkah region, especially Taif, is experiencing tremendous progress. Taif has a bright future. I have spoken to its businessmen, officials and prominent personalities and they have offered their full cooperation and support,” he said.
The governor praised businessmen in the Makkah region for their readiness to participate in development projects, saying they would boost the progress and prosperity of the region in the coming years. “Taif is the Kingdom’s first tourist region. Its tourist history is well known,” the prince said. Taif, a hill station known for its salubrious climate, receives thousands of tourists from Saudi Arabia and abroad every year.
During his stay in Taif, Prince Khaled visited Taif University, the Shafa resorts, Okaz souk and various tourism projects in the city. He also met the general committee for the promotion of tourism in Taif, which is chaired by Taif Gov. Fahd ibn Muammar.
Earlier, the governor opened the new buildings of King Faisal Hospital in Taif. He also watched a model of the medical city where a maternity and children’s hospital is under construction.
Five new buildings have been constructed for King Faisal Hospital at a total cost of SR35.86 million. The new buildings include outpatient clinics, emergency wards, intensive care units, a cardiac center and laboratories.
