MAKKAH: The Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities (SCTA) will open a branch office in the holy city. The SCTA chairman, Prince Sultan bin Salman, made the announcement at a meeting with Talal Mirza, chairman of the board of directors of the Makkah Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
The meeting was also attended by other members of the board in addition to representatives of tourist and accommodation companies. Spokesman for the chamber, Mahir Saleh Jamal said a number of issues concerning the tourist activities in the holy city were discussed
He also said Prince Sultan had agreed to ask all concerned government departments to cooperate with the chamber in setting up a committee to endorse the accommodation contracts for pilgrims this year using the same procedures as last year. These procedures include the renewal of the registration of the tourist companies at the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. The companies will also have to present a report from an engineering office about the suitability of their facilities for accommodation and another one from the Civil Defense confirming that the facilities fulfill all the safety requirements.
The spokesman also said Prince Sultan would request the municipality’s commitment to the unified accommodation specifications approved by the Ministry of Rural and Municipal Affairs, SCTA and the Civil Defense.
