RIYADH, 13 February — Prince Sultan ibn Salman, secretary-general of the Higher Tourism Authority, has emphasized that the Kingdom would stick to its fundamental principles as well as religious and social values while working for the promotion of domestic tourism.
Addressing businessmen and representatives of various tourism agencies, Prince Sultan said the general tourism plan would be ready within 15 months. He also announced a plan to set up an advisory council comprising interested parties and businessmen for the tourism authority.
The body was conducting about 50 field studies on potential tourist centers and tourist prospects in the country. It will sign a consulting agreement today with a specialized company to conduct a series of studies, he said, adding that these studies would become the basis of a tourism research center.
"The tourism authority will study along with the government prospects of changing or reforming certain rules and laws that stand in the way of tourism projects and investments," the secretary-general said and urged businessmen and investors not to hurry for results. "We don't have any magic wand," he added.
Prince Sultan discussed with businessmen ways of enhancing the Kingdom's share in international tourism market estimated at about $500 billion. "The Kingdom's rate (0.33 percent) is very low and a lot of hard work is required to improve it," he said.
Saudi businessmen who took part in the discussion pointed out that the increase in electricity charges and the lack funds and banking services to finance tourism projects were some of the main obstacles facing the industry.
Asked about the contribution of Saudi businesswomen to the sector, Prince Sultan said their interests would not be ignored. "All areas are open and there are certain rules and regulations for women's work and investment and that will be followed by the authority," he added.
Abdul Mohsen Al-Hokair, chairman of the national tourism committee, urged the government to develop the country's tourism sector to boost economic growth. He forecast that the international tourism market would soon hit $700 billion and estimated current investments in the tourism sector at more than $1 trillion. "This vital sector employs 350 million people, 15 percent of the total work force," Al-Hayat newspaper quoted him as saying.
"When 70 to 80 percent of tourists prefer to visit resorts inside their countries, only 15 to 16 percent of Saudi tourists do it," he said.
At present, there are 125,000 people working in the Kingdom's tourism sector, of whom only seven percent are Saudis, he added.
