TAIF, 7 August — The Middle East’s biggest cable car system, which stretches some 4,200 meters supports 54 carriages, is now operational in Taif’s Hada resort. Crown Prince Abdullah, deputy premier and commander of the National Guard, opened the project’s first phase yesterday.
The official Saudi Press Agency reported that the opening of the cable car project and the Kara tourist village by the crown prince reflected the government’s support for domestic tourism.
“O God, bestow your blessings on this project and don’t expose anyone using this facility to any danger,” Prince Abdullah said while unveiling the cable car project’s plaque.
He later pressed a button to start the carriages and inspected the project’s facilities.
Taiseer Khaleel Al-Dhabit, managing director of the Taif Investment and Tourism Company, the promoter of the project, commended the government’s ongoing support for domestic tourism.
The opening ceremony was attended by a large number of princes and high-ranking officials, including Prince Miteb, minister of public works and housing, Prince Abdul Majeed, Makkah governor and honorary chairman of the promotion company, and Fahd Muammar, Taif governor and honorary deputy chairman of the company.
Al-Dhabit emphasized the importance of investment by Saudi businessmen within the Kingdom, saying it would strengthen the economy and create more jobs for the growing number of Saudi graduates.
The cable car project has an upper and a lower station. The highest station is located on the Hada mountains and comprises of a five-star hotel with 110 rooms and family suites, a number of restaurants, a mosque for 600 worshipers, an indoor stadium and a children’s playground.
The second station is situated in the low-lying Kara region and comprises various tourist attractions, including a museum, recreation centers for both children and adults, more than 100 air-conditioned rooms and a mosque.
The managing director said the cable car, which was constructed by a foreign company following international safety standards, can transport 1,000 people in an hour.
“We have recruited experienced people to operate and maintain the project,” Al-Dhabit said, adding that they included a number of Saudis. Those Saudi nationals will now be sent abroad for intensive training on similar facilities.
Dr. Muhammad Al-Harithy said it was a happy day for the people of Taif, who were honored by the royal visit.
“King Abdul Aziz selected Taif as his summer capital. Since then, the city has witnessed continuous progress and development in all areas,” he added.
Al-Harithy expressed his hope that the cable car project would attract more tourists and visitors to Taif, one of the Kingdom’s major tourist centers. “Taif is notable for its moderate climate, its marvelous natural landscape, its deep-rooted history and its closeness to the Grand Mosque in Makkah,” he explained.
The Taif Investment and Tourism Company has plans to establish two more cable cars, a tourist village at Sesaid resort and a modern shopping center at the ancient Okaz market.
Taif still needs more tourism projects, due to the growing number of tourists both from within and outside the Kingdom. Their numbers are expected to increase to 1.97 million by 2005 and 2.3 million by 2010.
Speaking to Arab News, Abdul Rahman Al-Qarie, director general of the company, also highlighted the significance of the cable car project for the company itself, saying it represents one of their most ambitious projects.
The second phase of the project will create more housing units, recreation centers and restaurants in the Hada region.
