JEDDAH, 29 July 2003 — A Saudi investor intends to boost tourism on the Kingdom’s west coast by establishing several large-scale projects including a restaurant ship that will travel along the coast and accommodate some 200 tourists.
Prince Abdullah ibn Saud Al-Saud, chairman of the board of Al-Ahlam Marina and Park tourism, said he had high hopes for the restaurant ship following the success of the “Dream Submarine” that started operations six months ago.
The submarine is half submerged and allows visitors to observe marine life under the water at close quarters.
He said the decision to start the new project came after intense study, which concluded that tourists would be drawn to the pleasure boat.
Prince Abdullah also said he had earmarked SR35 million for a new resort in south Jeddah.
Scheduled for construction some time this year, the new project will be established on an area of 20,000 sq.m.
The success of the Al-Ahlam marina in north Jeddah four years ago had provided encouragement for the new project, the prince added.
Prince Abdullah hopes to establish new projects along the west coast from Tabuk in the north to Najran in the south, especially in cities that are already tourist destinations.
The projects formed part of Saudi Arabia’s ongoing tourism program, the prince added.
