JEDDAH: A group of 35 scouts from Saudi Arabia, Jordan and other GCC countries will visit Jeddah on Sunday as part of the “Explore the Kingdom’s Heritage” program.
The team, which will be accompanied by Muhammad Al-Amri, executive director of tourism and antiquities in the Makkah province, will visit a number of historic places across the city.
The scouts are visiting Jeddah as part of a Kingdomwide tour to understand antiquities in Saudi Arabia and promote the first conference on architectural heritage in Islamic countries that is to be held at the Riyadh International Exhibition Center from April 18 to 23.
Makkah Gov. Prince Khaled Al-Faisal commended the program and praised the Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities and its chairman, Prince Sultan bin Salman, for promoting domestic tourism and preserving the Kingdom’s heritage.
“We appreciate the efforts of government departments and private agencies to attract foreign tourists, and promote our heritage and domestic tourism while protecting the Kingdom’s identity,” the governor said.
In his statement on the occasion, Al-Amri said the tour, which involves scouts traveling the Kingdom in sports cars and motorbikes, would play a big role in promoting tourism and helping people recognize major Saudi tourist attractions.
“This program aims to enlighten Saudis and expatriates about our excellent national heritage. It will promote domestic tourism and encourage more investment in tourism,” he said.
The team began its journey from Riyadh on Feb. 9 and passed by Al-Kharj, Houtat Bani Tameem, Aflaj, Sulail, Khamis Mushait, Abha, Qunfuda, Baha, Taif and Makkah.
They will also visit Rabigh, Al-Ola, Yanbu, Taima, Tabuk, Sakaka, Dumat Al-Jandal, Hail, Baqaa, Buraidah, Unaizah, Zulfi, Hafr Al-Baten, Jubail, Dammam and Hufouf. Their journey will end in Riyadh on Feb. 27.
