SCTA chief: Urban heritage key component of national identity

National urban heritage is a key component of the country’s identity and a vivid testament to Saudi contribution to the Kingdom’s development, said Prince Sultan bin Salman, president of the Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities.
“We want to invest in our urban heritage sites to bring our history back to life. Beyond the textbook accounts of our past, Saudi citizens need to be able to experience, learn and enjoy their history,” he said while addressing the organizing committee for the Urban Heritage Forum in Madinah.
Prince Sultan said the development of urban heritage sites would allow Saudis to appreciate and understand their nation’s unity, which had emerged from remote villages and towns.
The SCTA chief commended the support of regional governors to the forum.
“The government has issued the necessary regulations to preserve the national heritage in general and the urban heritage of each province in particular,” he added.
He said SCTA would work in collaboration with its partners in the private and public sectors for the success of the forum.
Madinah Gov. Prince Faisal bin Salman, chairman of the Madinah Tourism Development Council, had given his approval to host the forum as part of the festivities marking the selection of Madinah as the capital of the Islamic culture.
The forum’s steering committee discussed a number of issues related to the event and reviewed a presentation on the progress made in the preparatory work. It also approved the names of participating authorities and the structure of the executive committee.
Prince Sultan thanked Prince Faisal for patronizing the forum. “Holding the 3rd National Urban Heritage Forum in Madinah in conjunction with its yearlong festivities will give it special importance,” he added. Prince Sultan and Prince Faisal also attended a meeting held for the Madinah Tourism Development Council. “The Madinah region is experiencing a qualitative leap in the field of tourism and heritage through the ongoing SCTA’s projects and programs,” Prince Sultan said.
Prince Sultan, who chaired the council meeting, said Madinah is going through an exceptional phase of progress, which is reflected in a number of important projects that are to be inaugurated soon, such as Yanbu City Center Development Project and Al-Ula Development Project.
Prince Sultan hoped that these projects would be inaugurated on the sidelines of the Urban Heritage Forum in Madinah next year.
Prince Sultan also expressed his hope that Madinah would be in the forefront of provinces attracting tourists as a result of its huge potential. “It will also lead to creating more job opportunities for Saudis,” he added.
The SCTA chief referred to his organization’s plan to develop the Islamic history sites including Islamic battle sites in the Kingdom. He appreciated the support and financial support extended by Prince Khaled bin Sultan, deputy defense minister to these projects.