JEDDAH, 14 January 2008 — The Supreme Commission for Tourism (SCT) plans to carry out a number of vital tourism projects this year in order to meet the growing demand from tourists visiting Saudi resorts. The projects include building a series of heritage hotels in order to operate heritage palaces and historical sites in various parts of the Kingdom.
Prince Sultan ibn Salman, secretary-general of SCT, said his organization was conducting a feasibility study on heritage hotels in association with the Finance Ministry and Public Investment Fund. “Such heritage hotels are established officially in many parts of the world to protect the architectural heritage,” he explained. He said the commission was currently reviewing offers made by developers to implement the Al-Oqair tourism project in Al-Ahsa, which is expected to become one of the major tourist centers in the Kingdom. He also disclosed plans to establish another major tourist destination on the Red Sea within the next few months.
“Al-Oqair is one of SCT’s first projects of developing large-scale tourist destinations in various parts of the country. We would like to make them a major attraction for capital investors as well as a major source for new job opportunities for young Saudi men and women,” the prince said.
Speaking about antiques and heritage sites in the Kingdom, Prince Sultan said the commission was facing a number of challenges in preserving the heritage sites.
“Preservation cannot be achieved without the cooperation of other government agencies, especially municipalities, and Saudi citizens. We also need more financial and human resources for this purpose,” he added.
The SCT chief said the commission had set out a five-year strategy for the development of antiquities and museums across the country, adding that the project would begin this year. The SCT recently announced new bids for the preparation of technological infrastructure for the Antiquities Agency and National Museum. Companies and organizations that want to enter the project must present their proposals to the SCT on or before Feb. 6, 2008.
