The forum will be discussing ways to preserve the national heritage of Saudi Arabia.

Prince Sultan bin Salman, president of the Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities, Mayor of Jeddah Hani Abu Ras and Rector of King Abdulaziz University Osama Tayib addressed the invited guests at a gala opening at the Jeddah Hilton.

Prince Khaled, who inaugurated the forum and exhibition, said the Kingdom would pay greater attention and care for the protection and development of architectural heritage.

He commended Prince Sultan's efforts for the preservation of the national heritage.

“The cities where we live in reflect the personality of a Saudi man, who is both Arab and Muslim,” the governor said and urged mayors of Makkah, Jeddah and Taif to give greater attention for the protection of architectural heritage in their cities.

“We want every pilgrim who visit the Kingdom for Haj and Umrah feel that he/she is in the land of the Holy Kaaba and an international Islamic center,” Prince Khaled said and called upon businessmen and real estate developers to construct buildings and shopping centers based on Islamic architectural designs.

Prince Sultan thanked Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah for his continuous support for the development of the country and in particular for its architectural heritage.

“We welcome you to this the first national forum of the Kingdom's heritage that will promote national awareness on preserving and developing architectural heritage and attracting investment in the sector,” Prince Sultan said.

“Our slogan today is: Architectural heritage, from Destruction to Investment.”

He added that the slogan summed up the aims of the conference and what he considered to be the way ahead.

“We look at our architectural heritage as an investment for the future.”

Prince Sultan said the aim of the new direction was to save the heritage sites and take the history out of books so that people could actually live with them and experience history first hand.

This idea, though at its early stages of development, is turning into a physical reality at Al Ghat, 250 km north of Riyadh.

The Heritage Village there is in the late stages of restoration and is scheduled to open soon to the public who will see carefully restored houses and buildings and even have a chance to stay in them.

“It is our duty to bring life to these heritage sites that formulated our national personality,” he said.