He added that the personal expertise and specialization of the members were considered in their selection and added that each member would be responsible for a certain portfolio during the council's tenure. He said three members from the private sector were also appointed, although the majority were directors of a number of government departments.

The new council consists of: Jeddah Gov. Prince Mishaal ibn Majed as chairman; Prince Abdullah ibn Saud, who was assigned the responsibility of marine activities and sea voyages; Ghassan Al-Sulaiman, who was given the investment portfolio; Muhammad Al-Fadl who was made in charge of travel agencies; Ziyad ibn Mahfouz, who will look after accommodation facilities and resorts; Saleh Al-Naghi, who is in charge of business tourism; Muatassim Ali Reza, who will look after medical tourism; Abdullah Abdul Qadir Nasair, assigned responsibility for studies and marketing offers; and Muataz Kayyal, who is assigned the portfolio of conferences and exhibitions. Sheikh Saleh Kamel, chairman of the board of directors at the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI), was also appointed a member of the council.

He, in addition to Nasair and Kayyal, are the three representatives from the private sector.

Representatives from the public sector also include Jeddah Mayor Hani Abu Ras; Director of the Local Department of Education Abdullah Al-Thakafi; Director of Jeddah police Maj. Gen. Ali Al-Ghamdi; Director of the local branch of the Commerce Ministry Attiyah Al-Zahrani; Commander of the Border Guard in Jeddah Brig. Abdullah Al-Zaydi and Al-Amri.

The council was established four years ago to formulate a comprehensive plan for tourist development in the region, prioritize tourist projects, fix a timetable for the implementation of relevant initiatives, encourage private sector investment, train manpower, market products and increase awareness about the importance of tourism.