JEDDAH, 5 February 2008 — The Supreme Commission for Tourism (SCT) in association with the Riyadh Development Authority (RDA) has embarked on a vital project to develop the historic area of Al-Diriya into a major cultural and tourist center.
Prince Sultan ibn Salman, secretary-general of the SCT, accompanied by senior SCT and RDA officials, visited Al-Diriya on Sunday in order to inspect the progress of work on the project.
“This project reflects the government’s keenness to preserve and develop historical places in the Kingdom,” Prince Sultan said, adding that Riyadh Gov. Prince Salman, who is chairman of RDA, had given high priority to the project.
Al-Diriya was the first Saudi capital. It contains a number of historical buildings and other sites of importance.
Prince Salman set up a committee in 1996, as part of the celebrations of the Kingdom’s Centenary, to develop this historical region.
Headed by Prince Sultan, the committee includes Abdullatif Al-Sheikh, director of projects and planning at the RDA, and Dr. Saad Al-Rashid, former deputy education minister for antiquities and museums. Higher authorities have already issued directives to develop Al-Diriya and set up a higher executive committee under the chairmanship of Prince Salman for the purpose.
“This project is a good example of the partnership between RDA and the tourism commission,” Sultan said.
He said the SCT would take part in the implementation of every phase of the project including the transformation of the old Government Palace (Qasr Al-Hukm) and other institutions into a museum. “We will supervise the efforts to renovate old buildings and organize the museum,” the tourism chief said.
“We will encourage businessmen to invest in the area and promote Al-Diriya as a major tourist spot in the Kingdom,” he added.
